Kittens are quite territorial animals and use aromatic markers called pheromones to help establish and maintain their "property".

These powerful scents are critical "sign posts" for communicating with other cats and are emitted by a number of glands located throughout your kitten's body.

Kittens enjoy body contact for reassurance and affection. So rubbing cheeks with you acts not only as a means to pick-up or leave scent markers, but is also a means to create a relationship based upon physical contact.