Title: Hunter's Choice
Disclaimer: I don't own the boys in anyway. Doesn't mean I can't play with them from time to time ;-)
I know everyone has waited a LONG time for this sequel. I do apologize. To really understand what is going on you need to read "Hunter's Will". I'd like to thank Tidia for being my beta and pointing out where things didn't make sense. Also to Ridley for letting me borrow Caleb and Mac. This isn't really part of the Brotherhood AU I just borrwed a few characters. So with that all said on to the story.
Chapter 1
Sam stumbled blindly through the inky blackness of the forest. Branches whipped by, scratching the exposed skin of his face and arms. He could feel the blood running down his cheek mingling with his sweat. The thick branches finally forced the young hunter to raise his hands in front of his face as he followed Dean. Sam was hopelessly lost but his brother seemed to know exactly where he was going. He caught his foot on a hidden tree root and went down hard. Dean stopped, hauling him to his feet.
"We have to stop," Sam panted, bent over with hands on knees.
"We're too close," Dean said, tugging on his arm. "We have to keep moving."
The younger Winchester pulled out of his brother's grip. "It's pitch black. All we're accomplishing is getting lost."
"It's not that dark." Dean argued.
Sam could barely see his brother standing next to him. The moonless night, and the thick canopy of trees made the forest floor as dark as a cave. Sam couldn't figure out how Dean didn't run into the trees as they escaped from the Rakshasa.
"Come on," Dean said, pulling him along. "If we swing wide we can get back."
"You think Caleb's still alive?"
"Even if he isn't I'm not leaving him for the demon."
Sam knew Dean was right. Rakshasa's had a fondness for human flesh. "We have to wait until daylight." Sam reasoned. "We'll never find our way in the dark."
"We can't," Dean protested.
"This wasn't your fault," Sam argued.
Dean stared at his brother in disbelief. He had turned his back on Caleb for just a second to check on Sam. That's when the demon attacked. Reaves did his best to fight the demon but it moved incredibly fast. Before Dean could help the Rakshasa dragged Caleb off. He was about to give chase when he heard something moving towards them. Coming from the other direction was another demon heading straight for Sam. The older Winchester had to make a choice, his friend or his brother. In his mind there was only one thing he could do. They couldn't fight both demons. Dean grabbed his brother and they ran. He left Caleb behind.
"Tell that to Caleb."
"Don't do this," Sam said, grabbing Dean's arm. "Caleb would understand."
The older hunter pulled his arm away. "We're going back."
"Don't be stupid," Sam snapped. "There's no way we can find…"
Dean clamped his hand over his brother's mouth, pulling him to the ground. The sound of rustling leaves through the forest was loud to Dean's ears. He couldn't believe his brother hadn't heard. His younger brother squirmed under him, grunting to be let up. Dean took his hand away but kept his finger on Sam's lip making sure he didn't say anything.
Sam was silent as Dean moved away. He had no idea what was going on. The younger hunter was about to interrupt the quietness when he heard a branch break nearby. The sound caused both brothers to freeze. Sam squinted, but it was too dark to see.
Dean watched as the Rakshasa tried to find their trail. The demon was fifty yards away checking the ground. Its movements were clearly visible to the older Winchester. He just hoped the trail he left would fool the demon. Dean tensed as another joined the first. They were both in human form, a male and a female. Dean couldn't see their faces from where they were hidden. Now it made sense why the attack was so vicious. They were a mated pair. Dean sighed in relief as the demons followed his false trail.
"Let's go," Dean whispered.
Sam valiantly tried to follow his brother. The hunter set a fast pace. Again Sam was forced to raise his hands to protect his face. A branch whipped back and he yelped in pain.
"You okay?" Dean asked smelling blood.
Sam wiped his cheek. "Yeah."
"You sure?" Dean asked again. Sam nodded. "It's not much further."
"How do you know?" Sam demanded.
"I just do."
"Dean, what the hell is going on?"
The older Winchester shook his head. "I wish I knew."
Sam cursed as Dean moved away. Ever since they ran from the demons his brother had changed. He moved different. Dean was always quiet moving through the woods but now he was silent. So silent Sam had a hard time following him. If his brother hadn't come back for him Sam would have been hopelessly lost. They went a few more yards when Dean stopped, dropping into a crouch. Sam crouched next to him as his brother lifted his chin and sniffed.
"I smell blood."
"What?"
Sam's question went unanswered as Dean moved away. Cursing he followed his brother. A short distance further they found Caleb. The dark haired hunter was in a crumpled heap at the base of a tree. Dean moved quickly to Caleb.
"Damn it!" Sam cursed. "I think his leg is broken."
"Couple of broken ribs too." Dean added. "I'm guessing a concussion. He has a hell of a cut above his right eye."
"How the hell are we going to get him out of here?"
"I'll carry him," Dean said, pulling Reaves to a sitting position.
"You're crazy," Sam said, steadying the psychic as Dean pulled him over his shoulders. "Caleb outweighs you by at least forty pounds."
"What choice do we have?"
Sam knew Dean was right but he was worried about his big brother's recently healed injuries. His brother struggled over the uneven ground with his heavy burden. Dean again seemed to know exactly where he was going. Sam was able to follow easier now that his brother was moving slower. After a mile Dean stopped to rest, leaning against a tree.
"Here, put him down," Sam suggested.
"No," Dean said, shaking his head. "I'll never get him back up."
After a short rest they moved out. Sam knew his brother couldn't carry the older hunter all the way back to camp. He watched as Dean struggled through the forest. They traveled another twenty minutes when the older Winchester stopped.
"I can't carry him any more," Dean admitted.
Sam helped his brother lower Caleb to the ground. "We'll build a travois."
"There's no time," Dean panted. "The demons could be right behind us."
"Don't have much choice do we?" Sam knew searching for large branches in the dark was going to be a challenge.
Dean pulled his jacket off and covered Caleb. "Stay here with Caleb," Dean ordered. "I'll get the branches."
"Dean…"
His brother disappeared before he could finish. Dean followed their trail back a few yards and left a false one in case the demons were close. When he was satisfied he went in search of branches to make the travois.
Sam made himself useful by finding sticks to splint Caleb's leg. When the leg was splinted, using a t-shirt as binding, Sam tried to see if the cut on the older hunter's forehead was still bleeding. It was impossible to tell in the dark. There was nothing he could do but wait. The forest was eerily quiet. Sam pulled the gun from his waistband as he strained to hear for any signs of Dean.
"Here, Sam."
The younger hunter jumped, aiming his gun at his brother. "Damn it, Dean, I could have shot you!"
"Well you didn't, now let's move."
They quickly put together the travois and transferred Caleb to it. Dean took the front as Sam brought up the rear. It wasn't easy but they made better time. As the first rays of dawn appeared over the trees they were back at camp. They loaded Caleb into the Impala. Sam was in the back with Caleb as Dean started the car. The loud rumble of the engines shattered the quiet of the morning as the sleek black car race down the road.