If there was one thing about Gozer, it was that he didn't like being told 'no'. Blue eyes narrowed at Billy as he disappeared over the fence, and his ears flicked in frustration. Why couldn't he come along? Weren't two cats better than one? Was Billy implying something? What if Spooky had asked to go along?
He jumped a bit when Pickles craned his neck to lick his shoulder reassuringly.
"It's probably for the best," he murmured, giving Gozer a friendly nudge before trotting off a few paw steps, turning to Spooky. "Are Bandit and Spud picking you up tonight? I.. don't want to go home alone. I mean, it's fine if you don't want me to come along, or, I just-"
Spooky let out a chirrup, and dashed up to Pickles, gently butting his shoulder with their head. They were a pretty reserved feline, but had a soft spot for the much younger, timid cat.
"Yeah, they are- and don't worry about it. They'll probably be here soon anyway," they mumbled, flicking their tail towards the fence and looking back. "Gozer? You coming?"
The blue eyed cat let out a sigh and nodded, forcing his expression to brighten as he shoved back any other negative thoughts.
"Yep! Princess is coming to pick me up," he drawled, giving a large imaginary yawn that showed off his teeth. "Pretty tired, anyway."
Gozer gave his paw a good lick before rubbing it across his face to wash it briefly, and then he gave a mighty leap onto the fence, swaying. Pickles and Spooky joined him soon after. Though Pickles landed on the other side pretty quickly, Spooky lingered and sat down, giving Gozer a quiet meow to call his attention. The younger cat turned and gave an inquisitive purr before sitting down as well, trying hard not to fall off. His heart was beating rather rapidly, and he gave his own chest a good lick to soothe himself before meeting Spooky's dark, brown eyes.
"Stay out of trouble, alright?" they uttered, giving him a good stare down. Gozer chuckled nervously, eyes darting back and forth before reluctantly meeting Spooky's gaze.
"Me? Aw, Spooker, when have I ever been in trouble?" he joked, giving his paw a shaky wave and twitching his whiskers. "I'm a good kitty."
Giving a snort, Spooky shook their head and briefly put a paw to their muzzle.
"Can't say I didn't try," they grumbled teasingly, standing and giving a good stretch, ears twitching to acknowledge the series of familiar meows coming from below. "I mean it, though."
"Yeah," Gozer answered a bit awkwardly, nodding at him and bidding him goodnight as he leapt to the ground as well. He watched Spooky exchange greetings with siblings, and stared as the four cats padded off into the distance, leaving him all alone.
...Good. Gozer waited until everyone was out of sight before giving the air a good whiff. Billy's scent was still tangible. Strange- it was clearly wintertime, but Billy smelled of warmth, and desert sand. Well, anyway. The plump feline gave himself a good shake before starting on his journey, his strides quick and confident. He was positive Billy had gotten pretty far, anyhow. There was no danger of being seen yet.
And what if he was seen? The thought made his paw steps slow a bit, and his fur fluffed up in uncertainty as a car raced past, causing his lip to curl. Would Billy be angry at him?
Well, he could be angry all he wanted to. Gozer was just trying to help, after all. With another huff, the feline kept going, not liking the scenery as time passed. The neighborhood grew darker, colder, and... Really mean cats came out at night. He gave the air another sniff, and slowed down a bit. Billy's scent was strong now, which meant he'd ahve to be more careful, which meant...
Gozer's ears pricked and he pressed himself against a brick wall, spine arching in trepidation as he strained to pick up any movement around the corner. Luckily, he didn't have to try very hard. A yowl made him jump, and his breath caught in his throat. He'd been so caught up in his thoughts that he hadn't been paying attention.
"This isn't your territory!" a hoarse voice hissed. Oh no... had they caught him? Maybe Billy had circled back around and left- and no he was all alone with these rouge cats, and, and-
"Ain't gotta yell," a familiar low meow sounded, calming Gozer down significantly. He relaxed bit bit bit, and craned his neck to hear the conversation without being seen, letting the scents wash over him. There was Billy, and three strangers. He was terribly outnumbered. Emotions barreled through him, making his claws scrape lightly against the cement.
He could either stay and try to help Billy, or back away, or even lie low until things died down, or-
"She does if you're invading, freak!" another voice caterwauled. "Get out! Before we make you."
"Listen here, alley cat," Billy snarled quietly. "I didn't come all this way to get talked down to by a couple of flea bags. Move out of my way- I'll be out of your territory soon enough. If I couldn't smell your borders, then this isn't your territory anymore anyway-"
Gozer almost mewled as the area erupted into furious screeching, and the thump of a cat hitting the ground reached his ears. Without even thinking, he barreled around the corner and leapt onto the closest feline there, digging his claws into skin instinctively.
A yell made him stop short, and angry green clashed with frightened blue.
It was Billy. And boy, did he looked ticked off.