A/N: One more letter to go, Z, and it will be in two parts. Can't believe this journey is almost to the end. It has been on great ride and I hope I have been able to entertain you with these one-shot hunts. And to the guest, Kathy, thank you for your continued support and reviews. I appreciate them all. This one is a little different than the previous. I hope you like the pairing. You know reviews make my day. Stay safe. NC
Y
The salvage yard was quit as darkness descended across the land. The wrecked vehicles looked like the skeleton remains of a long forgotten time. Bobby Singer was in the kitchen opening a can of beef stew for his dinner while planning the following day's agenda. He had a couple of cars to work on and some research to do for a hunter. His mind drifted to two skinny kids that got dumped on him all those years ago and how they wormed their way into his heart. He stirred the pot of stew and was about to take it up when a loud knocking sounded at his front door. He turned off the burner and slid the pot to the side wondering who was calling this late.
Bobby headed into the living room toward the door, picking up a loaded gun along the way. He opened the front door as the person was about to knock again. They stood there starting at each other for a few moments before Bobby huffed a breath and lowered the gun, waving the hunter inside.
"Hello Bobby," John Winchester mumbled knowing how he felt toward him.
"John," Bobby replied. "Got coffee in the kitchen if'n ya'd care for a cup."
"Thanks that'd be nice." He followed him to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee before sitting at the table as Bobby dished out his stew.
"You hungry?"
"No, thanks, already ate."
Not much on small talk, Bobby got to the point.
"What brings you around these parts?"
"Need to use some of your books if you don't mind."
"Sure, help yourself. Where's Dean?"
John had the decency to look down at his coffee cup before answering, "I'm not sure; last I heard he was working a hunt in Texas."
"And you're letting him hunt alone because…."
"He's twenty-four and a grown man. It's not like I can make him do anything he don't want to," John said trying to defend himself. They had had a falling out not long after his youngest announced he was going to college. He had a big fight with him about it and there were things said that shouldn't have been, so now they were apart.
"How about Sam? He still doing okay in college?"
"I swung by last month and watched him. He was with some friends and seemed okay. While he was in class, I snuck into his dorm room and put down some wardings for protection."
"I swear Winchester, you're the stubbornness one person I know!" Bobby growled at him. "Why didn't you go talk to him?"
"I don't think he would have wanted to see me. Not after what I said when he left. Even Dean wouldn't stay with me after a few months."
"You know this obsession you have wanting to kill the thing that killed your wife is going to be the death of you. You've driven your boys away and you're letting it consume you. You're missing out on time with your boys that you will never get back."
"I don't need a lecture Bobby. I have to do this to keep them safe," John insisted stubbornly.
They looked toward the other room when a phone started ringing and Bobby got up to answer it. John was glad for the reprieve and sipped on his coffee. After the things he had learned from the demons he had captured, he knew he couldn't stop looking for the Yellow Eyed Demon and put an end to him. He had to protect his youngest from the demon, and hoped him being out of the game, and in college would keep him safe. He could hear Bobby's voice talking to someone in his office.
John looked up as Bobby came back into the room.
"That was a friend of mine from Eagle Butte needs some help and I need backup," he told John.
"I don't know Bobby, I've…."
"Are you working a case right now beside this insane quest for this demon?"
"Well, no, but…"
"John Winchester, you jackass, I've not asked for anything from you over the years I've known you. You've dumped your boys on me endless times and I never said no. Just this once I think you can climb down off your sanctimonious tower and help a fellow hunter. You're one of the best I know and you're here right now. So, are you in or out?" Bobby demanded in a harsh voice.
John pinched his lips together in a tight line as he let the words sink in. He knew the code, when a fellow hunter needed help, if you could, you helped them.
"Alright Bobby. I'll help," he grunted finally.
"Good, why don't you go get some sleep and we'll head out early in the morning. It's a five-hour drive and with any luck we should be done in a few days. I'll fill you in on what I know over breakfast in the morning."
John just nodded and headed to the door to get his bag from his truck. He owed Bobby a lot and knew he couldn't say no to the hunt. He had helped raise his boys and they thought the world of him. Hell, Bobby was a better father to them than he was. John went up to the spare room and deposited his bag before heading to the bathroom. He paused at the door leading to the room with the twin beds Dean and Sam used when they were here. He looked into the darkened room and prayed he was doing the right thing. With a shake of his head, he stepped into the bathroom to use it before going to bed. John was fighting his inner demons and it made it hard go off track from his mission that he had been following for over twenty years.
Bobby heard John come back in and troop up the stairs and curbed his anger for him because of how he treated his sons. They were more like his troops than sons, and he had threatened him with a shot gun one time because of it. It had been years after that before he laid eyes on the boys again. They were grown and their father's influence had taken over, at least for the older one. He could still see hope for the younger and him going to college against his Daddy's harsh rebuke just proved it. He looked down at his cold stew and got up to put it back in the pot to heat again. He stood at the stove and stirred the stew as he started planning out his next moves.
spn
John had showered and changed clothes before coming down early the next morning to find Bobby had coffee made and was reading some printed out pages at the table.
"Is that about the case?" he asked going to the coffee pot to pour a cup. He joined him at the table and waited for Bobby to fill him in.
"Yep, this time I already know what we're hunting. My friend that called for help lives on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation and it's a tribal curse. We're going after a Yee Naaldlooshii."
"And that is…" John trailed off having no idea what Bobby was talking about.
"A skin walker. It's akin to the werewolf, but the good thing is if it bites you, you don't turn into a werewolf. Native American translation is 'he goes on all four'. We're looking for a witch or shaman that has gained their evil powers by breaking cultural taboo. They use the magical arts to imitate human voices to lure people out of their homes to kill them. They can read people's thoughts and would use hair, nail clippings, or old clothes to attack them with a curse. Josiah, my friend, said some of the people in the tribe have been attacked already."
"How do we kill it?"
"Silver bullets will slow it down, but it has to be taken out with a ceremonial spear, welded by a warrior not from that tribe. The Yee Naaldlooshii is able to control its own people so that's where we come in."
"Doesn't sound too bad. Does this Josiah know where this thing is?"
"He has an idea. I'll get us some breakfast and we'll head out," Bobby said getting up to go to the fridge. "Eggs and toast okay?"
"Yeah, that's fine." John picked up the printed pages and began to read them to familiarize himself with the creature. He could hear Bobby moving around the kitchen rattling pans and mumbling to himself words he couldn't quite make out. It wasn't long before he came back to the table with two plates with eggs and toast on them.
"Eat up and we'll get on the road. Liked to get to Eagle Butte by lunchtime," Bobby told him.
"Alright," John replied. He got up and poured another cup of coffee before sitting back down and eating. "Would you like me to drive?"
"Doesn't matter, figure you got the same weapons as I do. I'll still take a few extra things though in case we need to do a spell."
"Fine with me."
They finished their meal in silence and parted ways to pack a small bag with extra clothes and Bobby checked his weapon's bag to be sure he had what he needed. He looked over his lore books and grabbed a couple to take with him that might be helpful.
John pulled from the salvage yard and followed Bobby's directions heading north west toward the reservation. Neither offered to make small talk as John turned on the radio and lowered the volume just to expel the quietness from the cab of the truck.
They stopped one time along the way to fill up and use the restroom. Both grabbed large coffees to drink as they finished the last part of the trip. Traffic was moving good and they arrived in Eagle Butte just before noon. Bobby directed him to a small motel where they got separate rooms and decided to have lunch before going to see Josiah, Bobby's friend.
John couldn't help but notice the wary looks from the town folks and figured not many whites came to this part of the state. There were a few he saw in passing but the town was mainly made up of Cheyenne tribe that lived on the reservation. He was polite and quiet knowing better than to insult or offend them. If they were going to be hunting this Yee Naaldlooshii on their land, he didn't want to incite a riot or anything.
Once they were finished with their meal, Bobby called Josiah and they headed to the outskirts of town where he lived. He was a tribe elder and would be their ticket to hunting on the reservation; otherwise it wouldn't be looked kindly upon.
John looked over at Bobby when a ringing sounded in one of his pockets. He pulled out his cell and answered it.
"H'llo…" Bobby greeted the caller. "No, I caught a hunt…No I'm fine son…I'm not, got another hunter with me…Yeah, only if we need someone else…You know where the spare key is. Just remember if'n yer break it, you bought it…Don't know for sure, two or three days at least…Alright, I will, stop yer worrying, I've been at this a lot longer than you…" Bobby closed his cell and stowed it away before looking over at John. "'Fore ya ask, yes that was Dean. He needed a place to rest for a bit before looking for another hunt."
"Did he…Did he sound okay?" John asked cautiously knowing how Bobby felt about how he left it with both of his sons. He was angry at him and thought he was a dumbass and a stubborn jackass.
"He's Dean, he won't tell you anything, even if he's bleeding out. He didn't say anything about being hurt if that's what you want to know. Wanted to join me on this hunt, but I said I had someone with me already."
"Thanks for not telling him you were with me," John huffed in relief.
"Why should I tell him? He didn't ask and I saw no need to tell him."
"Is this the place?" John asked slowing as he came to a cabin sitting back off the road.
"Yeah, turn in there," Bobby pointed to a driveway that was coming up.
John turned onto the dirt road and slowly made his way up to the front of the cabin. It had a porch that ran the length of the cabin with several homemade chairs and a rocking chair sitting on it. The cabin was weather worn and several panes of glass in a couple of windows were cracked but not completely broken. There wasn't much grass growing in the yard and small dust clouds kicked up as the wind blew through the yard.
They got out of the truck and John allowed Bobby to take the lead and followed him onto the porch where he waited as Bobby knocked on the door. It wasn't long before they heard shuffling behind the door, and it was opened by a weathered looking elderly man of undetermined age that looked up at them. Recognition dawned on his face when he squinted his eyes and looked hard at Bobby.
"Bobby Singer, thank you for coming," he said, his voice rough and soft.
"Hello, Josiah, it has been awhile. Good to see you are looking well," Bobby greeted him, shaking his hand.
"Come in, come in," he offered stepping to the side so they could come inside.
The cabin was divided into four rooms, living room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. He led them to the living room where they sat on the couch and he sat in an old recliner facing them. Once they were settled, Josiah looked at them with sad eyes as Bobby started talking.
"When did this start up?" Bobby asked.
"I'd say probably three weeks ago, but I didn't know about it until a week ago. Some of tribe members that live farther out on the reservation have come to the elders for help. There are members missing and others that have become ill for no reason."
"Do you have any idea who it might be?"
"I am not sure, but it could be one of a couple of loners that lives out in the caves west of town. The clan is uneasy and not sure what to do. If they have become a Yee Naaldlooshii, it will need to be another warrior not of our clan that can kill it."
"We understand. This is a fellow hunter, John, and a warrior that came with me to help. We should be able to take care of this problem for you."
"That is good. But first, both of you must be purified by our Shaman and the spear blessed for your use. We can go now, if you like, and prepare you for the ritual. Then you will be ready for the hunt."
"The sooner the better. We want to stop any more of your people disappearing or becoming ill," Bobby agreed with him.
"Let me get my jacket and we shall go." Josiah slowly pushed himself from the recliner and shuffled off toward the bedroom.
Bobby and John got up and went out on the porch to wait for him.
"Exactly what is this purification thing he's talking about?" John asked.
"Don't get your panties in a bunch, it's nothing to worry about," Bobby told him.
They didn't have to wait long before Josiah came out and locked the door behind him. They walked to John's truck and Bobby got in the back allowing Josiah to sit in the passenger seat. He shifted their weapon's bags over to make room and settled back. John backed up and pulled down the driveway taking Josiah's directions and headed deeper onto the reservation.
They drove for miles through the desert before they began to see signs of life again. Josiah directed him to a small village that was more primitive and more like the older days. John parked on the outskirts of the village and got out, hurrying around to the passenger side to help the elder from the truck. He waited for Bobby to crawl out of the back and they followed Josiah into the village and to the largest structure centered in the village.
"Wait here," Josiah told them as he paused outside the doorway. He went inside leaving them standing in the hot sun to wait. They moved to the side in the little shade there was and waited for him to return.
It was thirty minutes before Josiah came back out to find them.
"Come, you need to prepare for the sweat lodge," he told them walking away without looking to see if they were following.
Bobby and John walked behind the elder until they came to a small structure where he pulled back a tanned hide from the doorway, motioning them inside.
"You will need to unclothe, there are blankets on the table. When you are ready, I will be over there." He let the hide drop back in place, leaving John and Bobby alone.
"Well, no use being bashful," Bobby shrugged turning to start taking off his jacket and hat.
John turned away and began to do the same. He took a blanket and tossed one to Bobby and took the other to wrap around his waist, clinching it tight so it wouldn't fall off. He turned and saw Bobby had done the same. He felt uncomfortable not being armed but followed Bobby outside to get this part over with.
Josiah led them to a sweat lodge and held back the hide for them to enter. They went inside and saw four other elderly tribe members sitting around a blazing fire. They sat down in two empty spots and watched as one poured water over the hot coals making steam fill the room. Both began to sweat profusely from the steam and heat.
Another threw herbs on the coals filling the room with an earthly, heavy aroma that they drew into their lungs. The elders began to chant in their native language, in sing song voices, that seemed to hypnotize the two hunters as sweat poured off their bodies in rivers. It seemed like time stood still for the hunters until they were brought out of their trances by one of the elders tapping them on the forehead and pushed the hide out of the way letting in cooler air.
John and Bobby stumbled to their feet and made their way outside, squinting and shielding their eyes from the bright sunlight. One of the elders motioned them to follow and led them to an outside shower stall to wash off. Bobby went first and draped the blanket over a wall before pulling a cord and letting cool water wash over him, slushing away the sweat and dirt. He used the blanket to dry off and wrapped it back around him.
After Bobby stepped out, John took his turn and sighed as the cool water drenched him, cooling off his body and reviving him. He ran his hands over his hair squeezing out what water he could before using his blanket like Bobby did and covered himself before stepping out. He headed to the shack where his clothes were and slipped inside to get dressed. Bobby was slipping on his long-sleeved shirt and stepped out allowing him some privacy. John quickly pulled his clothes on and when out to join him.
"The spear will be prepared for you and directions given to where the Yee Naaldlooshii is hiding out," Josiah told them. "Come, a meal has been prepared for you."
"I feel like I've lost five pounds," John whispered.
"Yeah, sweating like that will take it out of you," Bobby replied.
They were led to an area with tables and benches and a roof with the sides opened. Josiah motioned them to a bench to sit and women brought out bowls of food and drink. John didn't realize how hungry he was until he got a whiff of the aroma of the food and waited until Josiah and Bobby started eating before digging in himself. He tore off a piece of flat bread and dipped it into the thick broth before taking a huge bite. He washed it down with a slightly bitter tasting ale and listened as Bobby and Josiah talked.
After eating a second helping of the stew and several glasses of ale, John sat back and wiped his mouth, feeling content and full. He looked over at Bobby as he finished his drink and looked his way.
"They should have the weapon ready now," Josiah told them when he saw they were finished.
Bobby and John got up thanking the women for the meal and went with Josiah back to the central structure and this time went inside. The six elders, seven including Josiah were gathered in a circle and nodded to Josiah as he approached.
"The weapon against our enemy has been crafted and is ready to use," one spoke as his gaze fell to a spear laying on a fur.
John stepped closer to look at it and saw a spear about four feet long, made of a strong wood that had symbols burned up and down the staff. There were eagle feathers tied to the top near the head that was made of a dull metal honed to a razor-sharp double edge. Something seemed to call to him as he took a step closer and reached down to pick it up.
Bobby put out a hand to stop him, not wanting to offend the elders and stopped when Josiah shook his head no, let him do it. He watched as John gingerly picked up the spear and felt a surge of power race through him making his muscles stiffen suddenly and his eyes glow softly for a moment before it was gone. He looked around not sure what had happened until one of the elders spoke.
"The spear has chosen its warrior to weld it against the Yee Naaldlooshii."
"What? Me?" John questioned looking surprised as he looked to Bobby and then the spear. "No, really, Bobby's a better choice than me."
"The spear knows who should be the user of its power. Once chosen, it cannot be undone."
"Well, that settles that. Why don't we get ready to head out and see if we can find where the Yee Naaldlooshii is hold up and plan an ambush to take it out."
"We need to gear up. We may be out there overnight and should be prepared," John said hefting the spear feeling the balance and lightness of the weapon. It was like it was made perfectly for him. He went to the truck and got out his pack. He filled two water bottles and strapped a blanket to the bottom. There were extra clips of silver bullets in the pack along with a couple of power bars, first aid kit, flashlight, small tree saw, and silver knife. He strapped a machete to his belt wondering if he took the head off would it kill it, or would it somehow find a way to reattach it.
"You with me John?" Bobby asked breaking his train of thought as he shook his head and looked at him.
"Yeah, I'm good." John shouldered his pack and waited as Bobby was given a map of where the caves were located.
"We will be praying to the ancestors to protect and guide you on this hunt. May the gods be with you and make your aim true."
Bobby nodded to his friend and headed out of the village and into the hills nearby. He set a steady pace as they worked their way toward a canyon area that was about four miles away. The sun was sinking toward the horizon, but they still had a number of hours light left to get to the area they needed to search.
spn
Neither spoke as they hiked through the small sloped inclines and over the hills until they found the entrance to a canyon that spread out in front of them. The air felt heavy and smothering as they entered the opening, their senses going on high alert, ever watching for an attack. They didn't know if the Yee Naaldlooshii knew of their presence here or not, but they hoped to catch it off guard and maybe have a quick kill.
John held the spear in a white knuckled grip as he scanned the shadows ahead of them listening for any disturbances nearby. He caught the sound of pebbles trickling down a small hill and held up his hand for Bobby to stop. They froze, barely breathing, and listened for additional sounds but didn't hear anything. After a couple of minutes, they moved forward cautiously in the narrow canyon, until it widened out and they could see the black openings of cave mouths up the slopes above them.
John used hand signals telling Bobby they would approach the openings from the side and start their search. He nodded his understanding and moved to where he would be approaching the first cave from the left and John from the right. They pulled out flashlights and clicked them on before cautiously stepping into the shadows of the cave. The lights barely pierced the darkness as they ventured deeper looking for any signs of the Yee Naaldlooshii's lair. John moved his light back and forth along the sandy floor looking for tracks of any kind but didn't see any. He hoped Bobby wouldn't notice the slight waver if the light as he fought to keep his hand from trembling.
"It's not in here," John whispered to Bobby.
"Let's check the next one, I have a feeling it's here somewhere. I can feel it in my bones."
"Alright, on to the next one." John led them back out and they made their way down the slopes and to the next cave mouth listening for any sounds from inside.
It was starting to darken around them as the sun got closer to the horizon. They had checked four caves and still not found anything. John was beginning to wonder if the Yee Naaldlooshii was even anywhere around when the hairs on the back of his neck stood up. He stopped short and tensed as he strained to hear any movement.
Bobby saw John's body language change and felt it too. He scanned the area around them as he pulled his gun from the waistband of his jeans holding it out in front of him.
The Yee Naaldlooshii attacked silently from above, jumping from an overhang to knock Bobby to the ground, gnashing and snapping his fanged mouth as Bobby started to roll to protect his neck. The weight on him was suddenly dislodged as John ran at them and kicked out hard sending the skin walker rolling off Bobby.
The Yee Naaldlooshii gained its footing and growled, its long fangs dripping saliva as it stalked John. Bobby had gotten to his feet and retrieved his gun. He unloaded his gun into the large, black fur body making the beast howl in pain and stagger sideways before turning its gaze to the hunter as he ejected the empty clip and grabbed another from his pocket not taking his eyes off the creature that was moving toward him.
John saw his chance and yelled a warrior's cry as he ran and launched himself at the Yee Naaldlooshii holding the spear in both hands as he drove it deeply into the beast's side taking it down as he fell on top of it. He could feel the claws of the Yee Naaldlooshii clawing at his body as it howled in agony while John ignored the rippling pain and blood running down his leg. He pulled the spear out and drove it deeply into its chest finding the heart and twisted with all his might shredding it. Blood dripped from the skin walker's mouth as it began to change shape and the form of a naked man was slowly revealed. John stumbled backward, limping from the gashes on his leg as he panted, still holding the spear ready to use again if needed.
"I think you got it John," Bobby told him looking down at the now dead skin walker. "You're bleeding, we should look at those gashes."
John finally took his eyes off the dead body and looked at Bobby squinting his eyes and blinking quickly several times to clear his vision.
"I'm not the only one," he replied seeing blood wetting his friend's shirt.
"Yeah, well, it's only a scratch. Let me at least get a temporary dressing on your leg and we can get a fire going before it gets completely dark and we can't see."
"There's some wood back that way we can use, and, in the morning, we can salt and burn it too," John suggested nudging the skin walker's corpse with the toe of his boot. "Better safe than sorry as a hunter once told me." He pulled out a field dressing and allowed Bobby to cinch it around his leg, grimacing in pain.
The hunters moved back toward the entrance to the canyon and found enough dead wood and a place to set up camp for the night. Bobby got a fire going and checked John's leg injury. He cleaned it and stitched up the gash before letting John check his own wound. He was lucky and only needed butterfly bandages to close the gash. They drank their water and had jerky and a power bar for their dinner. They rolled out their blankets and settled down for the night, adding wood to the fire to keep it going. They would hike out when it was light enough to see, but not before burning the dead body. The spear would be returned to the elders and they would head back to Sioux Falls.
spn
John let Bobby drive back since after hiking back to the village his leg was throbbing. They pulled into the salvage yard and to the front of the house to see the Impala parked in front.
"Did you call him?" John asked looking at the car and toward the house.
"No, are you coming in?" he asked in a gruff voice. "Can't avoid him forever."
"Yeah, I don't think I'll be driving for a few days," John sighed knowing he couldn't put their meeting off. He got out of the truck and grabbed his bag before limping toward the porch.
Bobby got out and followed him up the steps and unlocked the door so they could go inside. He looked around for the older Winchester son.
"Anyone around?" he called into the house.
"Hey Bobby," Dean replied stepping into the kitchen doorway. He started to say something else until he saw his father behind Bobby and clamped his mouth shut and frowned.
"Hello Dean," John greeted him as he limped into the living room.
"Dad, Bobby, was there a problem with the hunt?" Dean asked seeing his Dad limping.
"Just a little injury," John replied taking a seat at the table. "You're looking good son, how have you been?"
"I'm fine," Dean stated without any feelings.
"I went by and saw Sammy a few weeks ago. He looked good," John offered hoping to maybe make amends with him. He knew Dean still hated him for the huge fight he had with Sam when he announced his desire to go to college.
"Did you talk to him?"
"No, I just wanted to be sure he was doing okay. I doubt he would want to see me," he said looking down at the table.
"Yeah, you're probably right since you kicked him out of the family."
"It's getting close to dinner time, why don't you run into town and get us something from the diner?" Bobby told Dean not liking where this conversation was going.
"Sure, why not," Dean said sarcastically, pushing off from the counter and heading into the living room to find his jacket. He headed out the door without another word.
"Think he will ever forgive me?" John asked after he heard the front door open and close.
"He's a Winchester. He's got that stubborn streak, but yeah, he will. Maybe you should suggest he go by and see Sam and actually talk to him if you can't."
"Yeah, you may be right Bobby. I'll try and talk to him after dinner."
"Good. It's about time you listened to me. Now, how 'bout a shot of Jack?"
"I'm good with that."
Bobby went to the cabinet and got two glasses and pulled out a bottle of Jack Daniels he had hidden. He poured them both a shot and toasted a successful hunt.
The End
