Show Me The World Outside [c]

There was nothing Blackbear enjoyed more than minding her own business. In fact, she was doing it right now. While her incessantly aggravating Clanmates milled about making pointless small talk and telling each other about their lousy hunts (really, could you even call it hunting when all you caught was a squirrel or two?), she sat on her own, facing pointedly away from the fresh-kill pile with a large pigeon between her forepaws. Sure, she occasionally growled at a passer-by or two when they bumped her. And her tail was lashing from side to side, daring anyone to get closer. Yeah, just try it, she thought as she balefully glared at an apprentice passing by. But anyway, she was completely and entirely minding her own business.

Her ears pricked up at the sound of a familiar voice, one that made her skin crawl with anger much less than anyone else's. Who was she talking to? Despite herself, Blackbear turned her head to look at her deputy and former mentor. At first, she thought Birdchaser was talking to herself. She sure didn't see any warriors near her, anyway. It was only after a few seconds of judgemental staring that she thought to look down. There, by Birdchaser's side, was a kit. Not just a kit, a kit that looked exactly like her. Pigeon abandoned, Blackbear got to her feet with her eyes trained on the tiny creature.

And, stars, when she said tiny she meant tiny. If Crookedkit was small, this thing was microscopic. She approached the pair, sparing Birdchaser a 'respectful' nod (more of a head jerk in her general direction, really) before lowering her head to the kit. She sniffed it, nose slightly nudging the kit. Her eyes narrowed. "Doesn't smell of SkyClan." She raised her head and looked back at Birdchaser. "Is it... yours?" she rumbled incredulously. It was ridiculous. Birdchaser was far from a queen. Why would she have a kit?

She looked back at the kit. He was so small. Idly, she wondered if he'd fit in her mouth. He was about rat-sized... She held out a paw, though she didn't touch him. She was still trying to figure out what he was doing here. "Do... you have a name?" She asked unsurely. If this was Birdchaser's kit, he was to be respected. As much as that made her fur crawl with indignance.

Birdchaser nudged Blackbear and the tall she-cat stepped back, ears flicking backwards. Had any other cat tried to push her out of the way like that... She had to hold back a hiss. "Rainkit. Right." Though her tone was gruff and disinterested, she repeated the name several times in her head to commit it to memory. It wasn't like there were many names taking up space in her brain anyway. Though apparently this kit wasn't related to Birdchaser, even Blackbear could see that she was basically its mother. That made it- him- the... deputy deputy. So his name was one she, begrudgingly, decided she should probably remember. "Uh, you too." She said to the kit's squeaky comment.

"...right. So when will I be able to spar with him?" She looked at Birdchaser quizically. What use was a cat who couldn't fight? She supposed he'd grow. He had to, unless he wanted to get eaten by something. And getting a chance to spar with the deputy's... Son? Tiny apprentice? Wasn't something Blackbear wanted to pass up.

Her eyes flicked back to Rainkit once again, sizing him up (though there wasn't much to size up). He looked like a SkyClanner, apart from the size. And even SkyClan kits were pretty small, as she'd found out through Crookedkit. "Were you a kittypet?" She asked, barely disguising the venom lacing her voice. She had to try not to be disrespectful, this was Birdchaser's kit after all, but she had her doubts that a kittypet kit could be even a half decent SkyClan warrior.