Kanie was getting bigger, just as she'd known she would. Her movements were growing smoother and her attempts to immitate her mother were getting closer and closer. Someday she would be able to call herself a fighter. And someday was going to be soon. She could feel it. And when she was a fighter, when she was one of the best there were, then it wouldn't matter that she was fatherless. It wouldn't matter that she was a halfblood. It wouldn't matter that perhaps five members of the pride had ever heard her utter a word. Because she would command their respect, her skills would speak for her.
It was quiet here, where she prowled in the shadows. Mother wasn't far, she never seemed to be when they were outside like this. But they were allowed to go further and further from those watchful eyes. At least mother was capable of recognizing that she didn't need to be smothered and looked after like some of the females with cubs seemed to do. It would have been purely agravating. Hikari seemed to need it, and perhaps her other siblings might too. But Kanie...she was independent. She didn't need anyone but herself for company. No one at all...