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As soon as they returned to familiar ground, team friendship retired to a quiet rooftop. Perrito was curled up inside, fast asleep with a toy that had been “acquired” on their way back.
That just left Puss and Kitty to sit under the gazing starlight. At Kitty’s request, Puss had told her about the circumstances that led to him being on his last of nine lives. She chuckled a little at his seafood story, but offered comfort as best she could.
But now, he was curious. How many lives was she on? Eight? Three? One?
“If you have something to ask, you can just say it.”
Kitty’s calm voice penetrated his thoughts like a blade through fabric.
”Right, I’m sorry. I was just curious, how many lives are you on?”
Kitty sat up, counting on her fingers.
”Let’s see… there was when I was attacked by a dog after being declawed.”
Ah, Puss remembered when she told her about that. It felt like decades ago. If he ever met those people, he’d-
“Are you there?”
”Yes. Forgive me.”
Kitty smiled again. He treasured that smile more than any adventure.
“After that, it was after I tried to climb a building without my claws. You can guess how that went.”
Puss nodded sadly. With how often he used his claws to grip surfaces, he couldn’t imagine the difficulty in being without them.
“My third life was taken by some crime boss. I took down a few of his guards before he smashed my face with a bottle and stomped me to death.”
Puss was agape in silent horror, but the story wasn’t over yet.
”My fourth life took a while to be lost. Do you remember Humpty?”
Puss nodded. How could he forget his brother? Even after everything he’d done, the fond memories stay with him.
”We were running away from a group of thieves when a sharp turn sent me out of the carriage. I barely had enough time to look as I was trampled by hooves.”
Kitty’s face grew solemn.
”My last one was after Santa Coloma. I was standing at the edge of a clock tower, enjoying the view with some milk, when the clock turned to midnight. I was sent falling to my death for the second time.”
Kitty chuckled, looking to her arm.
”It’s funny, sometimes I expect to see bruises from where I-
Her words were silenced as Puss wrapped his arms around her.
”I’m so sorry you had to go through that. You deserved better.”
Kitty was shocked, but rubbed her hand across his back.
”It’s okay, Puss. It’s in the past.”
Puss’s tears flowed down his face into Kitty’s fur.
“I was so frivolous with my lives, losing them to foolish accidents while you were suffering alone.”
Kitty wanted to say it was okay. That she was fine. But the words hitched in her throat as she felt her own tears come down.
”You really aren’t that guy anymore,” she joked with a wobbly tone.
They stayed there for a moment, before finally pulling away. Their eyes locked, lovingly staring into each other’s souls. They could have stayed there for hours. Just Puss and Kitty.
”Are you two alright?”
Puss and Kitty turned to see Perrito sitting a few feet away, a stick on the floor.
”Perrito, we thought you were asleep,” Kitty scolded lightly.
”I was. But I thought I sensed something wrong, so I came to check up. So…?”
Puss sighed, shaking his head and kneeling down to Perrito’s height.
”We’re alright, Perrito. Thank you.”
A light chuckle reached Puss’s ears.
”Looks like the fearless hero has a soft spot~” Kitty teased lightly.
Puss turned around, eyes ablaze with light mischief.
”Oh? Were you not the one who stole that toy for him?”
Before the good natured argument could continue, Perrito cleared his throat.
”Sorry to intrude, but could I stay with you guys up here? I sleep better with friends around.”
Puss and Kitty looked to each other, exchanging wordless agreements.
”Make yourself comfortable.”
Perrito nuzzled between his friends, who looked over the city line with fresh eyes.
It was remarkable how beautiful it all was. So many adventures to be had. To be shared with those he loved.
Neither Puss or Kitty could wait to see what was in store.