AN: This story was written as a gift for my best friend Ko-chan. I hope it comes close to what you wanted to read! =)
A very big THANK YOU to my beta-reader AnickaMarie (I really can't thank you enough!!) for helping me with this and to the people at the SFTCOL(AR)S-forum (you know who you are) for helping me to get into that (insert curse-words here) head of Dean Winchester.
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize does not belong to me, it belongs to Eric Kripke and the CW, I just borrowed the guys and played with them for a while.
Timeline: This story is set in the 4th season, somewhere between "Heaven and Hell" and "Family Remains".
WARNING: Do NOT read if the idea of Dean Winchester doing questionable things in hell repells you.
I mean it.
Constructive criticism and comments are always welcome and very much appreciated.
Flames will be send to hell where they belong and used to keep Lucifer's fire going.
**** *** ** *
ALLEY CAT
**** *** ** *
The great cat was pacing back and forth nervously, its sharp eyes fixed on the other side of the alley, watching intently as shadows moved in the distance. Whatever had captivated its attention was too far away for the human eye to make out but the white tiger had no trouble following the events, and the longer it watched the more uneasy it became. Sharp, pointed teeth flashed in the moonlight when a low, deep growl rumbled in the creature's chest, turning into a snarl as it hissed suddenly and flattened its ears against his head, taking an involuntary step forward, body poised to dash down the street when something happened only the cat could see.
A soft voice stopped the lean body almost in mid-jump.
"Not yet…"
The tiger obediently took a step back, but the pacing resumed, the tense body telegraphing its displeasure with the situation with every move. Another growl forced its way through clenched jaws and the cat stopped for a moment, turning to look over its shoulder, glaring at something behind his back in silent accusation.
A young man had appeared next to the animal. He was in his mid-twenties and the white linen suit he was wearing stood in stark contrast to the chilling temperature of a late December's night. If he was aware of the cold he didn't seem to mind it, just as the cat's gaze, his complete attention was focused on the other end of the alley. Bi-coloured eyes took in every movement of the indistinct shapes and, like the cat, he seemed to be unsettled about what he was seeing. His face was set into a serious frown, an expression that seemed to be rather foreign to his features if the laughter lines around his eyes and at the corners of his mouth were any indication.
The cat gave a sound between a snarl and a nervous growl and he reached out, placing a gentle hand on top of the big, white head, stroking the soft fur soothingly. Tense muscles relaxed for a moment and the feline leaned briefly into the caress, visibly quieting under his touch, eliciting a soft smile from the man and an affectionate, deep rumble in the cat's throat.
"It's not our fight."
For a moment the cat stood still, watching silently, but then the ears pricked up again and its gaze was drawn back to the remote scene. Again the soft voice sounded, causing the furry ears to flick nervously as it listened to the softly spoken words.
"They are strong, they can do this."
They stood in the dark alley for another indefinite amount of time until suddenly the young man started and tensed, cocking his head to the side as he listened into the night. The tiger froze in its steps and bared its fangs at the other end of the road, its long tail trembling slightly as it fought against its instincts and remained on the spot, leaning heavily into the young man's legs, as if that contact was the only thing that was keeping it back.
A quiet gasp. "Oh no…"
The tiger's eyes sought out the young man's troubled gaze immediately and even before he gave a small nod the white body was already moving, darting down the road at breakneck speed, pent-up anxiety catapulting it through the dark alley towards its goal. The man watched it for a moment, gave a small sigh and melted into the shadows next to him, leaving an empty side street behind.
**** *** ** *