Chapter Text
Rain drummed down, the ticking noise of drops on dilapidated rooftops echoing through the neighborhood block. Cats filled the thunderpath, their tongues outstretched in a desperate bid to catch even a drizzle of the cleanest water many of them would see in their lives. They were unsure how many generations had passed since the mass twoleg departure, but they knew it was enough that many of their structures had started to disappear. Young kits no longer feared the thunderpaths, the talk of giant roaring monsters fading into nothing but a myth, passed down from cat to cat like a mere fairytale. The only evidence of their existence were bits and pieces of their dead, resting like unearthed fossils in the man made caves scattered about the abandoned twoleg territory they had taken as their own.
Sandstream, a beige Maine Coon with a missing back leg, sat on the mossy rooftop of a tall twoleg structure. He'd never enjoyed large crowds, so being out on the thunderpath during such a congregation made his sandy fur stand on end. Or, it would have, had it not been completely soaked through. He hardly minded the dampness though, closing his eyes as he felt the cold droplets run down his face, cleaning away the grime of the day in a fashion his own tongue couldn't seem to manage.
Unfortunately however, he almost immediately felt his calm peace melt away as another cats paws were heard pattering up the incline, and a bright eyed, ginger tom perched next to Sandstream.
"Your family was looking for you."
He didn't respond immediately, but the slight scrunching of his face told the other cat all he needed to know. Sandstream hated how overbearing other cats could be. They thought he was vulnerable because of his missing limb. He knew it came from a good place, a place of worry and caring, but it was hard to not let it feel like pity. There was a twinge of guilt as the words "Let them keep looking." Slipped out from between his teeth, but he knew his friend would understand.
Blazetail had been born in the same moon as Sandstream, and the two were inseparable. He was the only one that was allowed to invade Sandstream's space whenever he pleased, the only cat who treated him like he was just as capable as everyone else.
Blazetail's wet face pressed up against his own, a soft purr rumbling to life inside him. "They don't want you to come down, don't worry. They're just making sure you got enough to drink."
Sandstream allowed a small smile to breach his face in response to the comforting touch. "I'm not a complete mouse brain, I know to take water when it comes. Tell them I'm fine."
"Will do." He playfully bonked his head against Sandstream's side, before turning and running off.
He couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed when Blazetail left, but despite all his complaining, he really didn't want the others to worry. A shiver crept up his spine as wind swept through the indigo sky and across his wet coat, but he didn't care. Moments like this were worth risking an illness for. Because right now, in this moment, it was just a cat with his thoughts, and the setting sun.