Litter of kittens/puppies? Bobby, John, Rufus


Bobby:

The box was a surprise. There was a doorbell, a gruff "Coming!" and no one at the door. Just a box. Curiosity getting the better of him, Bobby Singer opened it. Instantly he was filled with regret.

A dozen tiny kittens peered up at him with their huge kitteny eyes and meowing in that adorable kitteny way.

Bobby glanced side to side, hoping to see what kind of fool would leave a box of kittens on his doorstep. His of all people. He was just about to shut the door when one tiny kitten, the runt it seemed, poked its tiny calico head out, blue eyes wide and pink mouth open in a silent meow.

"Balls."

John:

He was walking back late from a hunt. Just a simple spirit, nothing he couldn't handle. Dean and Sam would be asleep by now. A smile flashed on the worn face as John thought of his children.

A light drizzle started and he walked faster. It was late and the streets were empty. An occasional car drove by, splashing water as the rain grew steadily heavier. John popped his collar, trying to keep out the cold.

He turned the corner to the motel and nearly tripped over a cardboard box. Cursing, he kicked it with his foot. It meowed back.

From the box came the head of a tiny black kitten. It meowed again. John crept forward, kneeling down next to the box. Another three kittens were curled up in the corner, the rain matting their fur around their tiny bodies.

"I'm sorry," John said, unsure why he was talking to a cat, "I can't take you."

The black kitten meowed again. The others woke and joined the black one. They leaned up against the box, all meowing as the rain came down harder. John still couldn't take them. The motel wouldn't allow it. Not to mention if Sam got a hold of these kittens… he wouldn't let them go.

As he stood up the kittens stopped meowing. Dejected, the four huddled back into their corner of the box, shivering in the cold and wet.

"Dammit," John hissed, scooping the box up before giving another thought.

Rufus:

He may be retired, but Rufus was in damn good shape. His ears were just as sharp as they were in his Glory Days and he knew that there was whining coming from his house somewhere.

Rufus armed himself with a shotgun, plenty of salt, and some holy water, just in case, and examined his house from top to bottom. There was no sign of ghosts, poltergeist, or demons. In fact, his house was clean from all things supernatural.

And still there was that high pitched whining. Following the noise to the basement, he shone a flashlight into the dark corners.

"Come out, come out, whatever you are," he said.

He could hear it well now. A sharp keen. And not just one. At least half a dozen. Rufus pumped his shotgun and walked forward. A small yelp came from underfoot. He looked down.

Five puppies. Five young puppies from the look of it. All golden with brown eyes, looking up at him with their ears drooping.

So that's why it's called a "puppy dog" look.

"Well come on then," Rufus said, gesturing for the puppies to follow. With a small bark they chased after him all the way up the stairs.

Bobby:

There were ten of them. Ten kittens. Six tabby, two black, one white, and the one calico. Bobby groaned but dropped a tin of water to the ground. The kittens rushed to the water, greedily lapping it up. As they drank the water, Bobby started to clean up most of his house. Take the books off anywhere the kittens could get to, shut the door to the basement, hide electrical wires, and so on.

It was grueling work and by the time he was done the kittens were examining their new home. He pulled out his phone and Googled a local animal shelter.

"Hello, this is the animal shelter, my name is Charlotte, how may I help you?"

"I gotta box of kittens on my doorstep, could ya take them off my hands?"

"How many kittens sir?"

"Ten."

"How old are they?"

"Um, I dunno. Young? They fit in the palm of my hand."

"Is there a mother cat with them?"

"No."

"Sir, would it be too much to ask you to take care of them for a week? We're up to our ears in kittens and can't take ten more. If you leave your information I can send someone to pick them up in seven to nine days."

"Seven to nine days?" Bobby repeated, incredulous, "I don't know how to take care of kids, much less animals!"

"Sir, sir, please," Charlotte said, "Go to the pet store, buy some cat litter and a litter box, buy some cat food, some toys, and a book. They'll take care of themselves as long as you feed them and give them attention once in a while."

"Seven to nine days?"

"Promise."

Bobby hung up. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. A week with ten kittens. Ten kittens who were currently gathered around his feet. They all looked up at him expectantly with their wide eyes.

Growling the whole time, Bobby ushered them into the kitchen, closing all the doors and windows. He cursed as he got into his car and drove to the pet store. Damn kittens and their damn soulful eyes.

And damn that tiny calico for settling in his heart.

John:

As expected, Sammy was overjoyed with the four kittens. He already had names for them and was petting them enthusiastically. Dean reluctantly sat next to his brother, holding the black cat warily.

"That one is Cassie," Sam informed, "She likes you."

"What about those ones?" Dean asked, gesturing to the three tabbies in Sam's lap.

"The orange one is Becky. The brown one is Lily. The gray one is Madeline."

"Why are they all girl names?" Dean wrinkled his nose.

"Because I said so," Sam stuck his tongue out, "And you didn't want to name them so I did."

"Sammy," John said, trying to be gentle, "Sam, we can't keep them."

"But we have to!" Sam said, holding the kittens close, "We can't let them live by themselves! They need a home Daddy!"

"Tomorrow we'll take them out and see if anyone wants to take them," John said, "But we can't keep them Sammy."

"Why not?" Sam's eyes filled with tears, "Why can't we keep them?"

"They would be happier with a family who doesn't move all over the place," John said, ruffling Sam's hair, "We'll find them a good home, alright buddy?"

"Okay, Daddy."

Rufus:

"Go get it!" he ordered the puppies.

They all tipped their heads in confusion.

"Come on!" Rufus groaned, "How am I supposed to raise you to help me hunt demons if you won't even chase a goddamn ball!"

One of the puppies jumped on his pants, little mouth barking.

"No, not me," Rufus tried again, "Get. The. Ball."

The puppy just wagged his tail, the others joining him.

"That's it, I give up," Rufus sat down on the porch.

Instantly his arms were filled with puppy. All five of them jumping on him at once, trying to lick his face. Rufus tried to fight them off, to push them off him and back into the grass, but he only had two arms and there were five puppies.

He didn't realize he was laughing until he felt the tears trickle down his cheeks.

Bobby:

Armed with knowledge and supplies, Bobby set to recognizing each young kitten. He already knew the calico and white kitten, two out of ten was… pretty lousy he had to admit. One black kitten had white paws, the other had a white ear. Three brown tabbies, one with white front paws, one with a white chest, and one straight brown. One orange tabby. And two black tabbies that looked so similar there was no point in even trying.

"Alright you lot, listen up," Bobby said, "You're gonna stay with me for a week then go to your new home. While you're here you're gonna follow my rules. Litter box in the bathroom, food here, don't ruin my curtains."

He didn't know what he was expected. A meow, maybe a nod? Certainly not for the kittens to walk into his main room, jump on the cushion by the window and curl up and fall asleep in a patch of sunlight.

Bobby opened his new book Kittens for Dummies and began reading. It seemed that everyone had the same opinion on kittens. They were adorable and you should feel honored to have them.

Glancing at the kittens snuggled together in the sunlight, he had to admit one thing was true. They were adorable.

John:

The next day Sam, John and Dean walked the streets of the city. John carried the box with most of the kittens. Sam insisted on carrying the orange tabby, Becky. He stopped everyone he ran into, asking them if they would like a kitty. Every time someone said no his face fell a little bit.

"No one wants them Daddy," Sam said, stroking Becky on the head, "Maybe we have to keep them."

"If we can't find them homes then we'll have to take them to the shelter," John said, "Okay Sam?"

Sam nodded and looked in the box.

"Don't worry kitties," he cooed, "We'll find you a home."

Rufus:

Having long given up the hope of teaching the puppies how to fetch, he took the next step. House training them. It was messy business and he probably scared the puppies so bad they might want to run away. But they were mostly house trained.

He hadn't counted on the puppies crawling onto his bed that night. One curled up by his neck, three nestled in by his stomach, and the last one wriggled under the covers by his chest.

"You'll be hunter pups soon," Rufus told them sharply, "Hunting monsters with the best of them."

The puppies yawned.

"Once you're out of this whole cute phase."

Bobby:

Seven days later there was a knock at his door. The shelter came through and was ready to take the kittens away. Bobby watched as the kittens were ushered into their cages, offering the man advice.

"Don't separate those two, they'll howl the entire way."

"She doesn't like that food, try this one."

"His tail's sensitive, don't pull on it or he'll claw your nose off."

"That one is staying."

Bobby didn't know who was more shocked. Him or the man from the shelter

"I thought you didn't want the kittens," he said slowly.

"I- no," Bobby recovering, "That one's staying with me."

"Alright," the man lifted his hands, "Thanks for looking after them. I'm sure we'll find them all good homes."

Bobby nodded and ushered the man out the door. He walked back into the kitchen and crouched down by the tiny calico sitting on the floor.

"Well, guess I need to name ya," Bobby said, giving the kitten a piercing look. She took a step forward, opening her tiny pink mouth in a hushed meow.

"Karen," he said finally, "Your name is Karen."

John:

Sam found the perfect place to find people who wanted kittens. The local college. He stood on the campus (John watching closely) with his wide eyes and kittens in hand. Dean was surly and held onto the tiny black kitten while Sam managed to give away Becky and Lily. Sam was now holding up Madeline for the students to look at.

A young woman came up, short red-brown hair blowing in the wind. She pulled her pea-coat closer and knelt down by Sam.

"Is this your kitten?" she asked.

"No ma'am," Sam shook his head, "She's a stray. Her name is Madeline. Would you like her?"

"What's your name?" the woman asked.

"My name is Sam," Sam said, holding his hand out.

"Hello Sam, my name is Abigail," she shook his hand, "Where did you find this kitten?"

"My daddy found her. He's a hero and saved her and three others from a storm."

"Did you already give away the other three?"

"Two," Sam corrected, "Just Madeline and Cassie need a home."

"Where's Cassie?" Abigail looked into the box.

"Oh no!" Sam turned around and practically threw himself into the box, "Someone took her when I wasn't looking! What if she's in a bad family and they're mean to her?" Silent tears began to fall down his cheeks.

John, sensing danger, quickly came forward.

"It's alright Sam," John said, "I know where she is."

"Where?" Sam looked up at his father with eager eyes.

"Dean," John turned to his older son, "Open your jacket."

Reluctantly, Dean unzipped his jacket, a tiny black kitten falling out.

"We can't keep her," John said, "And you know it."

"I don't want her to go," Dean pouted, "She needs me, Dad."

"No," John shook his head, "She needs to be in a home. Not on the road with us."

"But maybe she'll like it," Dean persisted.

"Dean, is it?" Abigail turned to the young boy, "I'm Abigail. I promise that I'll take Cassie, and Madeline, to my house. I'll take very good care of them. Just for you, okay?"

Slowly Dean let go of the kitten, pushing her into Abigail's arms.

"Fine then! Take her!" he cried, running to the car.

Sam gave a quick thanks to Abigail, giving her Madeline, before running after Dean and John. At the car Dean threw open the back door and locked himself inside, arms around his legs as he curled in on himself. Calmly, John opened the door and pulled Dean out.

"Dean," John said sternly, "You know we can't keep Cassie with us."

"We could have!"

"No!" John said, "What would you do if we were hunting a ghost and it killed her? Or if a wendigo got a hold of her? What then? I need you to look out for Sammy. I can't have you distracted by a cat, do you understand?"

"…yes sir."

"Good, now get in the car."

Sam slid into the backseat next to Dean. They were silent as the car rumbled to life. There was a job two states away and John intended on getting there tomorrow. Three hours later Sam spoke.

"When I'm big enough to take care of myself, you can have a kitty."

Rufus:

He was fast becoming "The Man with the Puppies" in town. No matter where he went, those five little puppies followed him. They walked with him to the store, waiting outside as he got them all collars and leashes. They followed him when he did the odd investigation for a hunt. Rufus couldn't even eat at the diner without them waiting outside.

Still, Rufus was bound and determined to make these puppies hunters dogs. He slowly trained them to fetch salt and holy water. He trained them to notice the scent of sulfur, to whine when spirits were around.

It came to the test when a demon possessed his neighbor. Rufus wouldn't have even noticed if the puppies hadn't been on edge when she came over. They growled and whined, barking their little hearts out.

Suspicious now, he gave her a small drink of holy water. The screams of pain and black eyes were proof enough.

But the demon was strong and she managed to get the upper hand. Rufus was on his kitchen floor, bloody and seeing double. The demon laughed manically and stalked forward.

Only to get attacked by five little puppies.

The puppies splashed holy water and salt all over the demon, pushing her back until she was trapped on a spray painted devils trap. Satisfied, the puppies trotted over to Rufus, licking him clean and trying to push him up with their little noses.

He gave them an extra helping of meat that night.

Epilogue (kind of):

Bobby kept Karen with him until she too, passed on. Karen was an insightful cat. She could tell friend from enemy instantly and stayed up with Bobby on those late nights of researching. Sam and Dean loved visiting Bobby because it meant playing with the cat. On lonely nights when Bobby slept in his bed that was too big and too cold, Karen snuggled up under his chin, purring. It may not be a replacement, but it was close enough.

John kept the boys well away from animals after the incident with the kittens. Sam still felt a connection with pets and Bones was his first real pet after the kittens. He still wonders if Dean would want a little black cat with blue eyes. Dean, however, refused to think about those kittens. He needed to keep an eye out for Sam, not look for a pet. He's always been enamored with dark hair and blue eyes since then.

Rufus eventually gave away his puppies. All but one. He claimed he needed an extra set of eyes to keep him safe, but really he was just lonely. He gave the dogs to hunter families. A family pet that could take care of children while parents did their job. They were so well received that other hunters started calling him, asking if he had any more puppies. Every year or so, Rufus goes to the animal shelter and takes four or five puppies home and trains them to be hunter pups. It's the best money he's ever gotten.