Closed Thread The Begrudged Kitsitter

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit, with her usual curiosity bubbling over, had been exploring the camp once again. Her sharp aqua eyes spotted a new face - an elder she hadn’t met yet but had seen moving about - Sunbear, with her massive ruddy pelt huddled protectively around a rabbit. Heatherkit's whiskers twitched mischievously at the sight of the prey. Sunbear looked like she was guarding it with all her might, which only made the idea of sneaking up even more fun!

Crouching low, Heatherkit stalked forward, her tiny paws making barely a sound as she crept toward the elder. Her tail swayed in the air behind her, mirroring a hunter’s focused stance - at least, the best version a kit could manage. She waited for just the right moment when Sunbear rested her head to the side, and then...

With a playful leap, Heatherkit darted forward and aimed a tiny bite at the rabbit, her eyes gleaming with excitement. “Gotcha!” She squeaked through a mouthful of fur, hoping her little surprise would impress the elder. Her heart pounded with excitement as she quickly backed away, half-expecting Sunbear to pounce back in return. “Didja see me coming? Didja, didja?"

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

The blur of pale fur rushed past Sunbear’s face and nipped onto the ear of her rabbit and Sunbear instinctively scrunched her nose. Though she had definite seen the kit coming, it was only right before she had pounced, Sunbear could recognise the scent of a kit anywhere, she had enough litters to know what a kitten smells like. "Aspiring hunter I see" Sunbear meowed, her voice naturally gravelly and gruff. Sunbear glanced down at the kitten and her gaze softened, she saw the essence of her last litter, specifically her Daughter, Basilflame as a kitten, and it made Sunbear smile for the first time in quite a while.

"Couldn’t see you until you pounced, but if you’re after rabbits you’ll need to avoid hunting when your scent would blow toward the prey" Sunbear explained, a flick of her ear telling the kit to listen closely, without verbally saying it. "Rabbits will smell you before they see you, you’ve got good form Heatherkit, but I smelt you a tail length away" Sunbear added, giving her fur a quick few licks before looking down at the ball of dappled fluff. What a peculiar face pattern she’s got, Sunbear thought to herself as she gripped the kits scruff and pulled her over to her belly

the large ruddy elder wrapped her thick furred tail around the kit "You’ll catch a chill being out like this, I’ll keep you warm until your dam finds you" she meowed, cleaning the kits dappled fur with her tongue so it was nice and clean so Brightmaple didn’t think Sunbear was roughing up the kit, she simply wanted to enjoy her prey in peace, but now she was left to kitsitting

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit's eyes widened with delight as Sunbear spoke, especially when she called her an "aspiring hunter." She hadn't expected the elder to be so...nice, especially after sneaking up on her prey. Her small tail swished eagerly behind her as she hung on every word.

"Oooh, I didn’t think about the wind! But you couldn’t see me 'til I pounced, right?" Heatherkit chimed, her excitement bubbling over as she wiggled in place. The fact that Sunbear had given her advice made her feel even more grown-up. She tucked the information away for when she would actually be hunting like a real warrior.

Heatherkit felt a soft tug as Sunbear grabbed her scruff and pulled her close. She let out a tiny squeak of surprise but quickly nestled into the elder's thick, warm fur. “I’m not cold! I’m tough! I got long hair like yours.” Came her mild pertest, playfully, though she didn’t resist. The warmth was comforting, and it reminded her of being with her mother, Brightmaple.

As Sunbear’s tongue rasped over her fur, Heatherkit giggled softly. "I’m explorin’, that’s why I’m out! But you’re pretty warm... I guess I can stay a little..." she admitted with a grin, her body relaxing into the elder’s soft embrace as her paws carried her tucked frame. Her bright eyes darted toward the rabbit once more. "I'm a littl' hungry... Wanna trade? I give you something and you give me some of your rabbit? I just wanna be fair, is all."

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

Sunbear let out a low rumble of amusement at Heatherkit's excitement. The elder's sharp eyes softened as she looked down at the kit wiggling against her fur. "I definitely couldn't see you until you pounced, that's for sure" she echoed with a hint of a smile, sure it was a lie, but it was nice to see the kit happy. "You're quick, I'll give you that. But it won't always be that easy. Prey won't be as forgiving as I am."

She gently nuzzled Heatherkit's head, letting her stay nestled in the warmth for a bit longer despite the kit's protest about being tough. "Long fur or not, even the toughest cats know when to take a little warmth" she said, her tone carrying just a trace of teasing. Sunbear wasn't used to indulging kits like this, but there was something about Heatherkit's energy that made it hard to resist.

At the mention of trading, Sunbear snorted softly, her whiskers twitching in amusement. "A trade, huh? And just what do you have to offer that could match a bite of my rabbit?" Her eyes glinted with curiosity as she eyed the small kit. "But I suppose being fair is important..." She glanced at the rabbit, then back at Heatherkit with a mock-serious expression. "Alright, you got yourself a deal. You give me something of yours, and I'll share a little. Fair is fair, after all."

Though her words were stern, there was a rare warmth in Sunbear's voice. Heatherkit’s playful persistence reminded her of her own youth, and she found herself giving in, just this once.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit’s eyes lit up with excitement as Sunbear agreed to the trade, her tiny paws kneading the ground in anticipation. She hadn't exactly thought about what to offer, but her mind worked fast. An idea popped into her head, one that would surely be impressive enough for a bite of rabbit. Her face beamed with pride as she looked up at the elder, making an exaugurated expression as she studied the she-cat from the tip of her snout to the end of her fluffy tail.

“I’m gonna give you somethin' real special.” she declared with a grin, sitting up as straight as her small body could manage. She cleared her throat dramatically, her tail swishing behind her as she prepared herself. “It’s like the 'Code' but all about you!”

With a deep breath, Heatherkit launched into her impromptu creation, her voice ringing with enthusiasm.

"You, so big and tall, with fur like... fire in leaf-fall. You guard your prey with claws so keen, the best elder I’ve ever seen!"

She puffed up her chest at the end of her poem, her blue eyes gleaming with hope and pride. "How's that? That’s worth a bite or two, right?" Heatherkit grinned, bouncing slightly in place even as she was being surrounded by cat, eager to hear Sunbear’s reaction.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

Sunbear’s whiskers twitched with amusement as she listened to Heatherkit’s impromptu poem, her amber eyes warm with affection. She hadn't expected such a creative offering, and it brought a deep, rumbling purr from her chest. "Now that, Heatherkit, is a fine trade" she said, her voice filled with approval. "A poem just for me? I’d say that’s worth a bite or two, maybe even three!"

With a playful flick of her tail, she lowered her head, nudging the rabbit toward the eager kit. "Go on then, take your share. But don’t let your sire know I’m the best elder, will you? Wouldn’t want her getting jealous of my fine poetry skills."

She gave Heatherkit a soft lick between her ears before settling back, letting the kit enjoy her prize. "You’ve got a clever mind, little one. Keep that up, and you’ll be a hunter and a poet before you know it." She mused, making the rhyme purposeful as a smile tugged the edges of her mouth

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit's face lit up with pure joy as Sunbear praised her poem. Her tiny tail shot straight up, and she let out a delighted purr, her eyes wide with excitement. "Three bites?!" She gave a squeak, bouncing on her paws. "That's more than I even thought!"

She beamed up at Sunbear, feeling a warmth in her chest from the elder's kind words. It made her feel like the cleverest kit in the whole clan. "Barleyswipe is the best sire. Each cat should be best at something." With a smile she leaned into the elder's affectionate lick.

With a happy little wriggle, Heatherkit crouched down and carefully took a small bite of the rabbit where it had already been biten into The taste was rich and wonderful, and she savored it for a moment before swallowing. Even if it was a bit chewy, the flavor was incredible. "Mmm! It's so good!" Heatherkit glanced up at Sunbear between bites. "I’m gonna get really strong eatin' stuff like this."

She paused for a moment, licking her lips, her mind already racing with more ideas. "Maybe next time, I’ll make a song about hunting! Then I can share it with everyone when I’m a warrior!" Her eyes shone with determination as she took another eager bite.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

Sunbear soon curled her tail around the kit again, not very tight of course, the kit would easily be able to push herself out of the thick blanket of fur if she desired to so as such. But Sunbear's whisker's twitched in amusement as the kit Heatherkit already had a better kithood than Sunbear, from what Sunbear could remember, the moment she began to speak, or much rather, her brothers, she was considered lesser than them by their mother, but in WindClan, in the WindClan nursery, she never saw anything of the sort. She never treated her young with the disrespect and and neglect given to her, it was true that Scarletsight had never liked her, and the she-cat had never bothered to hide that.

"Careful with those bites, rabbits are chewy so you have to work it in your teeth, but the flavor is worth the effort" The ruddy she-cat responded, giving her torn ear a short flick "You know, I was a queen once, twice actually" Sunbear added, giving her paws a few licks, cleaning the rabbit fur from between her claws, the claws the small dappled kit calls 'so keen' though, Sunbear assumed the kit meant keen to protect, whether it be prey or her found clan. In either instance, Sunbear was never one to complain about her sharp claws.

"My kits are well grown now" Sunbear's voice was filled with a longing, missing the time she spent with her kits, and she was sure past her prime at this stage, it would be more dangerous to have another litter now, so she was hesitant. Though not comepletely opposed. For now though, kitsitting is what Sunbear would do... for now. 

Heatherkit then mentioned something about a poem about hunting, causing Sunbear to let out a short chuckle, the kit had very little knowledge of the hunt, so it would be interesting to see what Heatherkit had in mind. "You'd have to learn how to hunt first before singing about it around camp sweetie, but you've got a good thing going here. I'm sure other cats will appreciate it as much as I do." 

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit nestled deeper into the warmth of Sunbear’s tail, her tiny paws stretching out comfortably against the elder's thick fur. She listened intently as Sunbear spoke, her eyes wide with fascination. The thought of Sunbear once being a queen was intriguing to her, and she imagined what the elder’s kits must’ve been like - surely big, maybe even poets.

"Twice?" Heatherkit echoed, her little voice filled with awe. "Your kits must be warriors, huh? Can I meet them?"

She chewed carefully at the rabbit now, following Sunbear's advice to work through the chewiness with patience. The young kit smiled brightly when Sunbear praised her idea about a song, feeling a surge of pride in her chest. "I will learn! Rabbit songs can be fast - bird songs can be fluttery! A mouse song would be quiet." She exaggurated the last word to nearly a whisper.

Heatherkit’s gaze was hopeful, her imagination already spinning stories of future adventures with her new friend, Sunbear, the wise and kind elder who, to her, seemed like she could do anything.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

Sunbear’s smile deepened as Heatherkit nestled into her warmth, the elder’s tail curling protectively around the small kit. "Yes, twice" she echoed softly, her gaze growing distant for a moment. "My kits grew into fine warriors, strong and capable. Just like you will one day Heatherkit." There was a touch of sadness in her voice, but she masked it quickly, focusing on the bright little face in front of her. "Perhaps you’ll meet them someday, in your travels."

Heatherkit’s excitement over her song brought a gentle purr from Sunbear. "You’ll learn quickly, I’m sure" she praised, watching the kit chew thoughtfully at the rabbit. "And when you’ve made your songs, I want to hear every single one. I bet your rabbit song will be fast and your bird song will be as fluttery as a breeze." Sunbear’s eyes gleamed with pride, enjoying the playful spirit of the young kit.

As Heatherkit whispered about her mouse song, Sunbear chuckled softly. "You’ve got it already," she said, impressed by the kit’s creativity. "Who knew prey could inspire such great mind such as yours?" Her tone was teasing but affectionate, encouraging the kit to continue exploring her ideas. It was moments like this that reminded Sunbear of the importance of nurturing the next generation.

Settling down further, Sunbear’s gaze softened as she imagined the kit’s future. "Who knows" she mused, her voice tender, "maybe one day kits will sing about you—Heatherkit, the brave and clever warrior of WindClan." There was a peacefulness in Sunbear’s tone, a sense of fulfillment in knowing she could help guide Heatherkit, even if just for a little while.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit beamed at Sunbear's words, licking the rabbit flavor off her maw. The idea of kits singing songs about her was thrilling, and her eyes sparkled with excitement. "Do you really think so?" Her voice was full of young wonder. "I could be the fastest hunter - or maybe the wittiest. Maybe my tongue will fly like a birds!"

She paused for a moment, thinking about what Sunbear had said earlier. "If I meet your kits, I’ll tell them you said they’re the best warriors." Heatherkit grinned up at Sunbear, clearly already imagining the future.

Settling into the warmth of the elder's embrace, she took another careful bite of the rabbit, her mind buzzing with thoughts of the songs she'd create and the adventures she'd have as a warrior. "And when I make my songs, I’ll sing them to you first..." She added softly, feeling a special bond forming between them. To Heatherkit, Sunbear wasn't just an elder - she was someone who believed in her, someone who saw her as more than just a kit. Any maybe even saw the future! "I gotta make sure they're good."

Her gaze flickered toward the entrance of camp, where she imagined the wide-open moor and all the things she would explore. But for now, the warmth of Sunbear's tail and the taste of rabbit were all she needed, her heart content.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

Sunbear glanced down at Heatherkit, her sharp gaze softening just a fraction. "Maybe" she murmured, her voice still blunt but lacking its usual harsh edge. "But being the fastest or the cleverest isn't what makes a warrior. It’s about doing your part for WindClan. Whatever you become, make sure it helps the Clan." Though her words were direct, there was a subtle care in them, an encouragement buried beneath her straightforward tone.

When Heatherkit spoke of meeting her kits, Sunbear’s expression tightened for a moment. "They are good warriors" she said quietly, her voice softer now, though still firm. "If you meet them, they won’t care about praise. What matters is how you serve the Clan, just like they do." There was a hint of pride in her voice, even if she couldn’t fully express it.

Sunbear shifted slightly, feeling Heatherkit’s warmth against her. "As for your songs" she added, her tone gentler than before, "I’ll listen when they’re ready. Just make sure they’re worth hearing." She wasn’t one for over-complimenting, but there was something kinder in the way she spoke now, her rough exterior softening around the edges.

Her eyes drifted to the camp entrance, then back to Heatherkit. "You’ve got time, little one" she murmured, her tail brushing gently against the kit. "The moor will be there when you’re ready. For now, just focus on getting strong." There was a rare warmth in her words, a quiet reassurance that she didn’t often share with others.

The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all
❖ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❀ ⭒ ❖ ⭒ ❖

Heatherkit listened intently to Sunbear's words, her little ears perked as the elder spoke about what truly made a warrior. The kit's eyes gleamed with admiration, nodding earnestly as if she could already feel the weight of responsibility on her tiny shoulders. "Ooo, okay!"

When Sunbear mentioned her kits again, Heatherkit sensed the pride beneath her words and smiled up at the elder. "I bet they’re just like you - strong and brave."

The young kit settled deeper into Sunbear’s fur, feeling the comforting rhythm of the elder’s breathing. Heatherkit's aqua eyes narrowed with a playful glint. "Just you wait."

She followed Sunbear’s gaze to the camp entrance, where the world outside seemed vast and full of endless possibilities. But for now, she was content where she was, the warmth of the elder's presence and the taste of the rabbit filling her heart with joy. "One day..." Heatherkit whispered, curling up a little tighter. Her eyelids drooped slightly, the comfort of Sunbear’s protective tail and the gentle reassurance in her words lulling her into a peaceful state.

Like the sun, I may burn fiercely, but it's my fire that warms those I hold dear.

━✦━✶━✺━☀️━✺━✶━✦━

Sunbear’s gaze softened as Heatherkit’s tiny form nestled closer, her breathing growing slower and more rhythmic. The elder, though usually blunt and reserved, allowed a rare display of tenderness to show as she gently smoothed her tail over the kit’s back, providing a warm, protective embrace. She leaned down to give Heatherkit a soft nudge with her nose, a quiet, almost unspoken promise of safety in that simple gesture.

"Rest now, little one" Sunbear murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, though the words held more warmth than most might expect from her. Heatherkit’s eyelids fluttered as sleep began to claim her, and Sunbear, with an almost awkward but genuine gentleness, ran her tongue over the kit’s head once more to ease her further into sleep.

Once she was sure Heatherkit had drifted off, Sunbear quietly shifted her own position, careful not to disturb the kit curled up against her. With a soft sigh, she resumed her meal, tearing into the rabbit with a focused precision. Though her eyes occasionally flickered to the camp entrance, her attention remained largely on Heatherkit, as if guarding the kit's dreams while keeping her usual stoic watch over the camp.

Sunbear kept a silent watched over the sleeping kit, as if it was her obligation, but she could easily bring the kit back to her mother, thought it seemed as if she simply wanted to stay in this position, it was relaxing to hear the rhythmic breathing of a sleeping kit and knowing that they’re safe in your paws, perhaps, even without a litter, Sunbear would have that feeling again.. she has that feeling again