Chapter Text
It was just another ordinary day in Smiling valley, or, at least it started out that way.
The smiling critters were all outside playing near Dogday’s house, doing their various favorite activities, when a sudden storm started to approach.
The leader noticed it first, and informed everyone else.
Everyone was getting ready to go back inside. Packing up their uneaten food, sports equipment, books, painting stuff, etc. as the rain and thunder started.
But Catnap, who was taking a nap in his favorite tree, was unaware of the approaching danger.
His friends tried to call to him to wake him up, especially his best friend, who was closest to the tree.
Unfortunately, he didn’t hear them in time.
As soon as he woke up and started to stretch…
A bolt of lightning flew from the heavens and struck the tree point blank.
Everyone was shocked, Catnap quite literally.
He could feel his bones being seen as the electricity coursed through his veins.
He felt surprised. Then he felt scared.
Then he felt nothing at all.
His body fell from the tree, his once pristine lavender fur now charred an ugly black.
At first, everyone was silent, with looks of absolute horror on their faces.
The cats now former best friend was the only one to approach, kneeling down and taking his friend’s lifeless body in his arms.
And then he screamed.
Nobody heard anything but pure anguish and heartbreak in his shrill scream as he held his friend tightly, burying his face in his chest.
~~~
The funeral was held a few days later.
It seemed appropriate to have it at nighttime.
The coffin was a simple wooden one, painted a deep shade of lavender and lined with only the finest material.
The critters wanted their sleepy friend’s eternal rest to be the best nap he’s ever taken.
They gathered near his favorite tree to offer their last words, before burying the box underneath the tree.
A fitting place for him to rest forever.
All his friends offered their condolences, but Dogday couldn’t be consoled.
He locked himself in his room for days.
He couldn’t sleep… he couldn’t eat… he didn’t want to do anything.
But eventually, he realized that Catnap wouldn’t want to see him like this.
He’d want Dogday to get back up, and see the bright side.
He always said Dogday was his sunshine.
So he took that to heart.
He wasn’t happy, but he tried to press on, and keep living.
He made and ate Catnap’s favorite foods, He visited Catnap’s favorite places, and at night he fell asleep and dreamed of him.
And he always made sure to visit his grave, and leave Catnap’s favorite flowers on it.
He knew that maybe one day, they would be reunited.