As always, I don't own them sadly. Starts off with the boys at 8 and 4 and Kat at 6 and then shifts to 10 years later. Enjoy!

Chapter 1

Memories

The Chevy impala slowed to a stop in front of the dark woods not too far from their current living quarters. John looked over at his eldest son Dean, who was very skilled in the job even at the tender age of 8. He then glanced to the back seat to see his youngest son, Sammy, almost falling asleep onto the child that he had taken in after her family was destroyed most likely by the same thing that had took his beloved wife. He knew it was too early for 4 year old Sammy to be out hunting, but he also knew that he couldn't leave him at home by himself. Dean had started hunting and doing easy jobs along with his father at 6. They were never really dangerous just very simple, easy, in and out jobs. He was also convinced that this was going to be Kat's second hunt and she was only 6. John got out of the car and looked back at Sammy. He grabbed a spell and said it in order to protect him. Dean followed his father's lead and excited the car as well. John opened the back door as Kat slowly slid out and ran next to Dean.

John- "Alright Sammy. You stay here and take care of the car. It's very important and you're just the man for the job. Remember don't let anyone in or anything. We'll be back soon." saying to his youngest son.

Sam- "Okay daddy."

John glanced back as he shut the door to his car and went to the trunk to grab 2 guns to take care of the killer dog that had been taking people. It was almost like a werewolf or wendigo but only in size. The actions were also the same but all you had to do was shoot it and it would be over. John really could have done it on his own but his son really wanted to come and there would be no harm in having a little extra practice for Dean.

John- "Okay, here's the plan Dean. You and Kat follow behind me and I'll go ahead a little and see if I can get it's attention on me. Then you shoot it."

Dean- "We've gone over this a thousand times already. I think I got it by now!" grabbing the gun.

John- "Now is not the time to be a smartass Dean."

Dean- "Yes sir."

Kat- "Why don't I get one?"

Dean- "You're too little. Plus you don't need one."

Kat- "I'm not too little! And why don't I?"

Dean- "That's what I'm here for. Now just follow me and don't go running off!"

He grabbed Kat's hand with his free hand and began to follow his father into the dark woods. It was early fall and there were barely any leaves on the trees as the newly set sun let the darkness roll in with the illumination of the moon and the little bit of sunlight that was still hanging on. John had kept a steady pace with determination to get this dog and get back home and continue with the more important search of what had caused so much tragedy to his family. John was so preoccupied in his quest as Dean followed behind pulling Kat's tense, scared grip along with him. She was trying to keep up when she tripped over a raised root.

John was getting farther ahead and hadn't even noticed that Dean and Kat were not right behind him anymore. When Kat fell, her grip in Dean's hand caused him to stop as it slipped through his fingers. She had hit her knee on a rock and was about to cry when she realized that she couldn't do that in front of John and even more so in front of Dean. She remembered just recently when she began to cry after a fall and Dean had made fun of her relentlessly for weeks. Dean turned around when he felt air in his hand and saw Kat starting to get up off of the ground. He glanced back towards his father who was going father into the distance and then ran over to Kat and started to help her up only to be slightly brushed off.

Kat- "I can do."

Dean- "Great job there kiddo."

Kat- "Don't call me that!"

Dean- "You really have to be more careful Kitty Kat. Come on, we have to catch up to dad."

Kat- "Okay." she was standing next to him as they heard a noise in the bushes behind them.

Dean- "Kitty Kat, you okay over there." he whispered to her.

Kat- "Yeah." she replied shakily.

Dean- "Let's go get dad. Now." he turned and started running towards his father and then he realized that she wasn't behind but still standing in the opening as a huge black figure appeared in front of her.

The dog was between Kat and Dean and was beginning to approach her. She stood still in terror. Even Dean was frozen in place for a few seconds. It only took a few seconds for the thing to get even closer to the tiny form of the terrified girl and that was all Dean needed. Unfortunately when Kat fell, Dean had dropped the gun and now it was near Kat but the young girl, although she thought she did, sadly did not know how to shoot a gun.

As the beast was closing her in, Dean sprang into action. He quickly moved, and placed himself directly in front of Kat as the claws from the beast made four deep bloody marks in his left arm. He had pushed Kat down hard onto the ground behind him as he looked at the beast in its eyes. His arm was throbbing but that pain was replaced with a new sort as the creature grabbed his left arm and pulled it in such a way that a loud pop was heard as his shoulder became dislocated. He let out a yell of immense pain as the creature began to lift him up.

John had heard the yell and was off in a run back on towards the sound. He came to a halt when he saw the scene in front of his eyes. There was his son with a blood arm, and it was hanging limply obviously out of place and being several inches above the ground, struggling for every breath. John quickly lifted his gun and shot repeatedly until the click of emptiness sounded long after a cry from the beast and a thud of it's dead body hitting the ground.

Dean had dropped to the ground and instantly was sitting in front of Kat and trying to hide his own tears from the pain in his shoulder. John ran over to his injured son. He quickly lifted Dean up to a standing position and grabbed Kat with his other.

John- "What the hell happened."

Dean- "She fell and it attacked us." panting still trying to catch his breath.

John- "Well it's dead now. How does your shoulder feel?"

Dean- "It's fine. It just hurts and I can't move it."

John- "It's dislocated. I'm going to have to put it back. It's going to hurt a lot."

Dean just nodded his head as John set his firm hands on either side of his son's shoulder. Dean took in a deep breath as John popped the shoulder pack into place with a muffled scream from Dean. Kat looked on horrified at what had just happened. They all headed back to the car as John watched his eldest son carefully and giving Kat a reprimanding glare as she slid in the back next to a sleeping Sammy. The moving of the car had awakened Sammy and by that time they had already arrived back at the house.

John took them inside and cleaned up Dean's four cuts on his arm and made him wear a sling, which Dean absolutely hated. John had rushed Dean off to his room and made him lay down in the bed to rest up. It didn't take long before Sam came running into Dean's room. Dean knew the exact reason, it was one for his safety and two because John was letting loose on Kat. Sam at first began by questioning Dean about everything with his arm and everything and then Dean grabbed a book with his good arm and Sam settled in next to his older brother. It was their usual ritual. As Dean began reading it didn't take long for Sam to fall asleep and then Dean listened to the assault that Kat was getting from John.

John was yelling at Kat for her carelessness and how she had put one of his sons in danger. He said that he regretted ever taking her in. There were a lot of things that Dean hoped his father really didn't mean. It wasn't like it was her fault. It was his dad that had taken them out there. Dean then heard the door slam and was pretty certain that his dad was going out to make sure that there were no more of those things out there. He then heard the sound of footsteps as Kat ran past his room into her room. It didn't take long before he heard her finally cry herself to sleep. Dean began to close his eyes and fell asleep for about 3 hours before he was awakened by the sound of rain outside.

Even at this age, he was a light sleeper. Then there was the sound of more crying in the room next to his. He was concerned and would have went to check it out, but he didn't want to disturb Sam. Dean moved his injured arm to a more comfortable position without waking Sam. The second his dad had left he had removed the sling. It wasn't much longer before he heard the light footsteps approach the door to his room. His door was slightly opened as he saw Kat standing there. His eyes were half open as to just observe what was happening. Kat had seen that both Sam and Dean were asleep and was about to turn away when she heard Dean patting the side of the mattress and pulling back the covers on the side that Sam was night, his right side.

Kat reluctantly walked over to the bed and looked into Dean's now opened eyes. She just looked into them for a little while and then he nodded and she finally slid in next to him. She sighed and he pulled her closer realizing that she was really scared that he was seriously hurt. She began to cry again which switched Dean into big brother mode. He had had plenty of practice with Sammy when it came to that area and perfected the art. He rested his chin on the top of her head until her breathing had finally slowed and became calm and peaceful signaling that sleep had finally arrived.

Dean- "It's okay Kitty Kat. I'm fine. You were brave tonight Kitty Kat. It's okay."

Dean fell asleep shortly after but not before whispering in Kat's ear that he was fine and none of it was her fault.

10 years later

An 18 year old Dean was in the bathroom just stalling as much time as possible before having to go off to yet another day of school which he found completely useless. Sam had been up since way early in the morning studying for yet another test that he felt that he needed to get 100 on. A sixteen year old Kat was standing outside the bathroom door banging on it and yelling as her soaking wet hair was dripping on the floor. Yet again Dean had pushed her out of the bathroom before she was ready for school.

Kat- "Dean! This isn't fair. You're not even doing anything useful in there!"

Dean- "And how would you know? Anyway you don't need makeup or dry hair or anything like that!"

Kat- "I am so gonna kill you if you don't open this door! It's called getting make-up on and getting ready for school!"

Dean- "I'd like to see you try. Again you don't need that crap. Come on Kitty Kat you don't wanna be late." he opened the door but just stood in front and refused to move.

Kat- "It's Kat for the thousandth freakin' time!"

John- "If you guys are late I'm not covering anymore."

Dean- "I'm all ready and Sam's already. Looks like we're just waiting on Kat." smirking at her.

John- "Well Kat stop stalling and get in the car. You guys can't afford anymore lates. I'll be leaving after you get home today."

Dean nodded as Kat angrily grabbed her back pack and rushed to the impala slamming the door extra hard as Sam snickered entering the back seat. Dean just glared at her as he started the car and head for the school.