Storm Shadow was already on edge as he made his way to Cobra Commander's main chamber.
He had been seeing and hearing things for a few days now. Distant howling, growling in the darkness.
Cobra Commander was standing in front of a large screen, arms folded. "Storm Shadow. Do you recall about three months ago when you reported the death of the Joe to me?"
Remembering the woman Scarlett's passing he nodded. "Yes Commander."
He turned the screen on showing video footage. "Then would you care to explain this?"
A figure appeared on the video feed and CC paused it at a certain point so Storm Shadow could see the face clearly.
Storm Shadow felt his stomach drop. It can't be..."That is impossible. She is dead. I saw the light leave her eyes."
CC was unimpressed, "Well it seems someone forgot to tell her that. This video was taken in San Francisco YESTERDAY!"
Storm Shadow was incensed. He was being made a fool of and that was not acceptable. He had a home in San Francisco and momentarily thought it odd that was where she would show up. "I WILL get to the bottom of this."
With that he turned and stalked out, quickening his pace a bit as a distant howl hit his ears.
--
Mainframe got Hawk's attention. Hawk approached him, BeachHead following behind.
"Sir, we may have a situation. Scarlett and the Winchesters were spotted on camera in San Francisco yesterday. Cobra Commander got his hands on it and showed it to Storm Shadow. Apparently he was supremely pissed and is heading her way."
"Damn. I know she can take care of herself, but against Storm Shadow?"
BeachHead agreed, "Especially an angry Storm Shadow that was apparently not impressed with her return from the dead. I can head to San Francisco to give her a heads up, watch her back."
Hawk nodded, contemplating. "Agreed she needs help. But we are sending Snake Eyes."
"Sir?" BeachHead was confused. Aside from the three people in this room nobody else on the team knew about Scarlett.
Hawk just turned and leveled a look at him. "Did I stutter?"
"No Sir. I'll send him. What do I tell him?"
"Simply that we are sending him to keep an eye on Storm Shadow."
"Yes Sir."
BeachHead left the room and Hawk smiled.
--
Shana closed the trunk on the Impala, handing out weapons to everyone, stuffing a container of salt into her cargo jacket pocket.
"This the place we got the tip on Bobby?"
"Yeah, been reports on Hellhounds in the area. Did some digging and this guy made a deal with a crossroads demon ten years ago."
"What's his name?"
"Thomas Arashikage."
Shana stopped dead and trotted over to take the photo from Bobby!s hand. "You're shitting me."
Sam stilled, "Why? You know this guy?"
Shana cringed, "In a manner of speaking. You remember that Cobra soldier that stayed with me as I died?"
Bobby pointed at the photo, "This is the guy?"
"One and the same."
"Well this could get awkward real fast."
Dean grimaced, "Get the feeling he won't appreciate your miraculous return to life?"
"Somehow I doubt it. But we will jump off that bridge when we come to it. For now we have a job to do."
Bobby shrugged, "All right. The address is the rooftop apartment."
Once they got to the roof Bobby went around back while Sam, Dean and Shana split up to take different rooms, warding the doorways and windows as they went. Shana opened the sliding door to reveal a small personal dojo. She could sense she was being watched but she continued doing her job. She was just finishing a protective circle of salt on the floor when she felt that voice as much as heard it.
The cold menace in the voice made her jump and spin to face the figure directly behind her as he lowered himself out of the ceiling where he had been hiding.
"How in the Hell are you alive?!"
The fury glittering in those black eyes made her pale, but the confrontation was interrupted by a deep loud growl filling the room.
Storm Shadow froze but Shana sprang into action and grabbed him by the front of his Gi and shoving him into the circle of salt.
He was so bewildered he didn't think to resist and she yelled in his face. "If you want to survive the night do what I tell you! Stay in this salt ring and don't fucking move! Do you understand me?!"
He just stared at her but stayed still.
"I don't have time to ex...FUCK!!"
She was cut off as she felt razor sharp claws rake down her lower back and she spun away, only to be slammed against a support beam by the invisible hellhound.
Sam and Dean ran in and Dean blasted a round of rock salt at it but it dodged it and ran at both of them, knocking them both sideways and the weapons were knocked from their hands.
The thing turned and started heading for Storm Shadow but Shana managed to jump in front as it leaped and plunged the Angel blade into its chest. The unearthly howl rang through the room and inky black black spilled all over Shana as they both fell to the floor. The Hound raked her arm and thigh with its claws as it thrashed before finally dying.
It was among this sight that one more figure dropped into the room beside and slightly behind Storm Shadow, who's eyes were so transfixed by what was happening in front of him that he barely noticed.
Bobby ran in as Sam was helping Shana to her feet. "I see you took care of Crowley's mutt." He looked at the two occupants of the salt circle. "And you two are?"
Two? Shane turned, wondering who besides Storm Shadow was there.
Recognition slammed into both of them and Shana felt her heart pound as her mouth went dry at the sight of the man, fury now emanating off of him in waves.
"Snake Eyes!"