A/N: hello everyone. sorry for the delay. thank you again to everyone for the great reviews. i am having so much fun writing this story, i am glad everyone is enjoying it. now, on with the show.

D: nothing, i still own nothing.

SHADOW STALKER

Chapter 12

John sat silently at the edge of the cave, his back leaning against the cold stone wall, eyes watching both his sons and the forest. The night had descended on them quick and complete, all light, even the moon and stars, was drown out by it. John knew the shadow was growing stronger once again, that they were running out of time. He felt outnumbered by the darkness, the shadows dancing, taunting, just beyond the mouth of the cave. John shivered involuntarily and went to grab the salt canister, reinforcing his protective perimeter.

After he had checked the rest of his protection symbols he went over to his sleeping sons, bringing more wood to rebuild the fire. John quietly sat beside the boys and began stoking the small fire. Dean was noticeably shaking in his brother's arms, his skin even paler in the dim light. He looked strangely small laying against his younger brother, one of Sam's long arms draped over his shoulder. He reached out and ran his hand over Dean's face, subconsciously tracing the area the shadow had frozen. He was even colder, if that was at all possible, and even in sleep he trembled with the chill. And John knew, without a doubt, that his oldest son would not survive another night in that cave. He was amazed that he had even managed to survive that one. He knew his son was strong, but it had not been until recently that he had learned just how strong the young man was. Most people in his condition would have given up hours ago. But Dean was fighting with everything he had in him, and John quietly begged his son to fight just a little more, to hold on for a few more hours.

"He will be mine soon."

John spun around, his entire body tense, facing the entrance of the cave, the icy voice sending chills down his spine.

"You will never have them, I won't allow it." John stated evenly, moving in front of his boys.

"But I already have one of them."

"Not for long."

"You know." The shadow began, its voice dripping with venom, eyes shining with greed. "If that boy dies in this forest, he will be mine."

"Over my dead body."

"You really have no choice in the matter."

"Yeah, and why is that?"

"Because, all souls lost in this forest become my property."

"He is not going to die here."

"Don't be stupid, John, look at the boy. You know as well as I that he is beyond hope."

"I've saved him from worse."

"But there are only so many times someone can challenge death and win."

"Maybe so, but I am not about to lose now."

"Noble. But just remember, no amount of salt or symbols can save his soul. What dies in this forest, remains in this forest."

"The shadows?"

"Yes, the shadows. They are the souls of every living being that has died here, animal and man."

"What the hell are you?"

"Like I told your boy, I am the shadow of life, the footprint of all souls."

"Are you a reaper?"

"No."

"A demon?"

"For lack of a better term. You see, John, I am a manifestation of darkness, of decay, of fear. I live off the emotions of the world, take them away from your minds, lessen the burdens of your spirits. Without me there would be no filter, no buffer, human emotions would run unchecked."

"So."

"You know as well as I that if there is light there must also be darkness, it is only natural. And I am that darkness."

"What do you want from us?"

"I want your boys."

"Well, that's not gonna happen."

"I need them, John, more then you know. I have been sensing them, feeding off of them, waiting for them since they were little children. Your boys are such a wealth of emotions, such a untapped reservoir of pain. They alone could feed me more then all the shadow in my possession."

"Go to hell."

"I've come with an offer."

"I don't deal with demons."

"I know others who would beg to differ. Now, my offer. I will let you and the youngest go free, all I want is the older boy."

"Never."

"Come now, we both know he is dying. I am offering you a chance to save your precious Sammy."

"If you know he's dying then why make the offer. You would have him anyway."

"He is not as strong as a spirit. I would prefer him alive."

"I don't give a damn what you prefer. I will not give you my son."

"You want to prolong his suffering?"

"I will not sacrifice one of my children."

"Then you will lose them both."

"I will not lose them to you."

"We will see." And with that the shadow was gone, leaving John once again in the oppressive silence. He stared out into the darkness for a few more minutes before turning back to his boys, checking Dean over once more. The shadow's confession was like a blow to his heart. If Dean died there he would be lost forever, to everyone, become nothing more then a shadow, misting its way through continual darkness. He could not let that happen, he wouldn't let that happen.

John leaned against the wall next to his sons, knowing that he too needed rest. He brushed his hand over Dean's forehead once more as he watched his boys sleep.

"Just keep fighting, Dean. Just please don't give up."

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Sam awoke slowly the next morning, the fog once again thick against the weak light of the sun. He tried to stretch his tired body, but the weight of his brother kept him from moving.

"You gotta lay off the cheeseburgers, Dean." Sam joked quietly as he tried to shift around, taking care not to aggravate any of Dean's injuries.

"Need some help there, Sam." John began, bringing with him some water and food from the supplies. He sat and gently took Dean into his own arms, as Sam stood and worked to wake his sore body. Dean remained still and quiet, his breathing still even and shallow. He was fading away, John could feel it. He could not, would not let him die, not knowing that his soul would be trapped there forever. He knew that this was one fight he could not lose, and come hell or high-water, he would find away to keep Dean safe.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, Sam."

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, why?" John asked, leaning back against the wall, Dean's head and back resting against his chest.

"Well, I called your name a few times before you answered. What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"Dad, come on, give me a little credit all right, I'm not a kid anymore."

"I know that, Sam, and I'm sorry."

"Then tell me what's wrong."

"We can't waste anymore time, but I don't want to leave Dean here alone."

"He'll be safe."

"No he won't, Sam."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw the shadow last night."

"What did it want?"

"To make an offer. Dean for you and me."

"You said no, right?"

John looked up at his son in disbelief. 'What does he think I am.' That simple statement was like a million daggers to his heart. What did his son think of him, what had he done to destroy all of his boy's faith. What could he have done to make Sam think he would give up his own child, turn his back on a young man that needed so much. John understood Dean's love for his family, understood it to the point where it terrified him. There was nothing he wouldn't do, no moment he would waste with hesitation when it came to his father and brother.

Had Dean been given the offer he would have sacrificed himself in mere seconds, given himself to protect those he loved. However, John knew that it would be different if he offered the sick boy to the shadow. While he believed that Dean would understand his choice entirely, even agree, knowing that it would save Sam, Dean's heart would still be crushed. Yes, he would always sacrifice himself for his family, but his family should never sacrifice him. It would be a betrayal to everything he did for them.

"Of course, Sam."

"Sorry. So, what happened?"

"The thing went into an evil monologue. What else would the bad guy do."

"I guess if you're gonna be evil, better do it by the book. What did it say? Did it tell you what it was?"

"Not by name, more of a description. When I asked it said that it was the same thing it told my son. Did it tell you?"

"No, all it did was mess with my head."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing really, it was just playing with emotions." Sam answered quickly, he really didn't want to get into the events of the night he walked away, especially with his father. It had been hard on him, and though what the shadow had said was true of that moment, it was not how Sam felt about his brother now. But it still tore his heart out, still kept him awake. He had walked out on the most important thing in his life, purposefully ignoring him until the night he returned. He knew he was wrong, and he knew he had severely crippled their relationship that night, but he also knew one other thing. No matter what, he would not leave him again. "What else did it say?"

"We have to keep your brother from it."

"What do you mean, what aren't you telling me?"

"The shadows."

"What about them?"

"They're the souls of everything that has died here. Whenever something dies in this forest its soul becomes the property of the shadow. It gets trapped here forever."

"Dean."

"If he dies... Sam, he'll be gone. No afterlife, nothing. He'll just be part of this fog, and there will be nothing we can do."

"There has to be something. I mean, there's always a way."

"Not always, Sam."

"But, Dad, we can't let that happen."

"I know." John said quietly as Dean shifted in his arms, trying to rejoin the waking world. "Start packing up, I want to leave in thirty minutes, I want this over."

"Yes, sir." Sam made his way slowly back to the supplies, his eyes never leaving his brother. That couldn't be true, there was always a way. Dean couldn't just be lost forever, he was too strong, too important to just fade into mist.

"Is he really that bad?" All through the last day Sam had been telling himself, willing his mind to believe that his brother would be ok, but the sorrow and fatigue in their father's voice shattered all his inner resolve.

"Yes, Sam."

Sam took in a long breath and knelt by his back pack, quietly preparing their meager armory. He breathed in again and blinked back the moisture that was blurring his vision. 'I may never see him again, ever. I have to fix this.' He looked back once more at his small and fractured family. His father was leaning against the wall, head back and eyes closed as he unconsciously brushed back Dean's hair, whispering unheard words of encouragement. Sam took another breath, he would not lose, he would not disappoint them again. He would fix this, no matter what it took, he would not let his brother vanish because of his own burst of anger.

"Are you done yet, Sam?"

"Yeah."

"Good, I want to get your brother settled before we go. I need you to hold him while I check him over."

"Yes, sir." Sam then sat in front of his father, taking Dean's limp body into his arms, resting his brother's forehead on his shoulder. Dean groaned and shifted, fighting the new movement.

"Hey, you awake there, buddy?" John asked as he rolled up Dean's shirt, checking the bruising to his back. He was relieved to see that some of the swelling had gone down and a few of the bruises were no longer warm. 'Maybe we will get through this.' "How are you feeling?"

"Go away."

"I'll let that slide for now."

"I feel like crap. But not as bad as yesterday."

"That's good. Your back doesn't look so bad, but you are still too cold."

"Its the shadow."

"What do you mean?"

"I can still see its eyes. It feels like it's next to me, but I know it isn't. I think it made me crazy."

"Made you." Sam joked, relieved to hear that his brother was in better shape, if only slightly.

"Shut up, bitch."

"Make me, jerk. Ow. Did you just pinch me."

"Smurff bite."

"Ow, knock it off."

"Make me."

"Come on, boys, lets deal with the injuries we have before we start making new ones."

"Yes sir." The boys replied in unison.

"Ow." Sam swatted again at the back of his neck as Dean snickered weakly.

John gently took Dean from Sam's arms and leaned him back against the wall, before checking the bandages on his stomach, head, and wrist. He was happy to see his oldest son smiling, even though he did look slightly drunk in his injured state. He smiled when Sam sat down beside his brother, the older boy immediately leaning against him. John reached over and squeezed Sam's shoulder as he continued to check over Dean, pride evident in his eyes.

"So, Dad." Dean began weakly, his eyes half open and unfocused. "Do you have any idea what this thing is."

"Actually, yes. I think it is an Asura."

"What's that?"

"It's Zoroastrian."

"Wait, like a Deava?" Sam asked, looking over to the mouth of the cave, that was the last thing they needed.

"Yeah. In Hindu mythology they are the opposites of each other. The Deavas were the gods while the Asura were the demons."

"No offense, but the Deava's seemed to be pretty Demonic in my memory." Dean added.

"Well, that was mythology. In reality, Deavas are like animals, they have to be summoned and controlled while Asuras act on their own free will. In Sanskrit the name Asura literally mean, power-hungry, or power-seeking. They are shadows just like the Deavas but they use lies and manipulations to get what they want."

"And what do they feed on, what's their power source." Sam asked as he moved closer to his brother. Dean still shivering beside him.

"Souls." Dean answered. "They feed on the human soul."

"How do you know that?" John asked, looking up from his son's knee.

"It told me. It said that Sam and me were valuable, that other things would pay a lot to be able to hunt us, or trade for us."

"What? Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

"I was more preoccupied with getting the hell out of here."

"What else did it say?"

"Something changed its plans. It wanted to keep me and Sam here to hunt, but it said it had to trade one of us instead now."

"Why only one?" Sam asked, his fear growing with each moment. 'What the hell are we in the middle of now.'

"It wants to keep one of us for itself I guess. I think it's really weak. It said something about moving out of the forest, but I guess it needs more power. It wants to trade one of our souls and keep the other."

"I wonder what happened to change its plans." Sam asked, unconsciously moving closer to his brother, the idea of something trying to trade his soul unnerving him.

"I guess it didn't plan on you boys being able to fight it."

"If you haven't noticed we are doing a piss poor job of fighting it off at the moment." Sam answered sourly, the entire situation beginning to grate on his nerves. Their lives were being played with for nothing more then to feed a power hungry demon, and Sam had had enough.

"Its Dad." Dean answered weakly, not wanting to listen to another fight.

"What?"

"Dad, he wasn't supposed to be here. I think that is what's screwing the thing up."

"You boys are as good at hunting as I am. Why would I make the difference?"

"Your reputation." Sam answered, the truth finally dawning on him. "I guess, in the supernatural world, you're it. Everyone knows you, knows how good you are. Dean and me, we're still kind of new at it all. I mean, new at doing it by ourselves." Sam added at the angry look his brother was giving him. "Maybe other things won't come to hunt us if they know you're here. Maybe you scared them off. Without the power that they would bring to it, the shadow won't be able to keep us here. That's probably why it keeps taunting us, it needed to feed."

"That's a lovely thought." Dean chimed in. "A soul shark. Wonderful."

"So, you think we probably have the upper hand." John began, his voice growing stronger with each moment. They finally had a glimmer of a chance, and that was all they needed. Nothing, not even gods would keep the Winchesters down.

"Yeah, and I think the whole blessing the water idea will do the trick. Remember when you first told me, then the wind picked up. It was probably trying to stop us."

"But you found your brother right after that. Why would it let you see him?"

"I didn't. I fought it."

"All right, we go with our original plan. If we run we should be able to get it done within the next two hours. Just bless the water and go, Sammy, we'll come back to do the exorcism here."

"Yes, sir."

"And, Dean. I don't want you to leave this cave for anything, got that. No matter what, I need you to promise me that."

"But what if something happens? What if it goes for Sam?"

"Sam and I will have the walkie talkies. We'll check in ever ten minutes. If I don't hear from him I will get him."

"But Dad."

"No, Dean. I can't have you out there, I need you to say here. That's an order."

"Yes sir."

"Thank you. Now, I'm gonna help you lay down by the fire. You have to stay awake all right."

"Yes, sir."

"I mean it, Dean. If you die here, your soul stays here."

"Yes, sir."

"We'll be back soon, then we'll all get out of here. Just stay strong, ok son."

"Yes, sir." Dean answered roboticly, the idea of his father and Sam fighting the shadow without him was more then he could bare. He felt useless, unimportant. What good was he if he couldn't hunt, if he couldn't keep Sam safe. He should have been more careful, should have seen the signs. His father wouldn't have been caught off guard like that, he would have killed the thing quick and clean, not ended up fighting for his life in a freezing cave. Even the bad guys knew he was the weaker hunter.

"Ok, Sam, you ready to do this?"

"Yes, sir." And with one last look at his brother Sam, stepped over the line of salt and followed his father out into the forest. He listened to John as he said the prayer and dropped the rosary into the river, the murky water turning crystal clear as the blessed beads hit the surface. The winds blew and the forest groaned as he watched the rosary sink down into the torrent, the surrounding fog lessening slightly. The two men then nodded to each other as they turned and stalked off in opposite directions, leaving the cave, and Dean, alone in the silent forest.

From its rocky perch high above the shadow watched with uninhibited hatred. They were winning, but not for long. It watched the two hunters walk off into the forest, fighting its shadows as they went. It then looked over to Joshua, making his way back from the south, hunting those he once called friends. It fed off the fears and hopes of the three hunters, taking in their powerful souls. But it knew it was not enough, it knew it needed more. The shadow then slowly moved its lustful eyes back to the cave, back to its prey.

It could feel Dean, even through the barriers his father had secured. The young man was terrified and alone, finally giving into the darkness. It could hear him sobbing, feel him shaking, knowing that the young man feared that he would die alone. And it breathed in deep the despair that that fear awoke. Soon, soon Dean would belong to the shadow, bringing with him a strength unmatched. The shadow then closed it eyes and misted away, fading once again into the dark air.

TBC

A/N: Info time. Asura are real, well, real in the sense that i did not make them up. there are all different web sites about them including wikipedia (take that info for what it is though.) they are the opposing forces to the deavas. neither is inherently good or evil, they just exist. they are at constant war with each other. in some stories it is said that the deavas chose to speak in the truth while asuras chose to speak only lies.