Author's note: Thank you for all the alerts, favourites and reviews! I never imagined my story would be so well received.

Here's another chapter specifically for you, the readers. The best way I can think of thanking you all is by giving you more.

Let me know what you all think.

Kaze-Chan

Chapter 4

Son of a bitch. Sam cursed to himself the entire way up the stairs. He was angry with his father, but more so at himself. When Sam had left to go to college, he had a thousand different things to tell his father; none of them decent for the ears of children. But now he had just stood there as his father bossed him around like he was trash, acting like nothing had ever happened.

He easily side stepped the hole Dean had no doubt fallen through. His mind was still racing with all the swear words he could possibly come up with. He scanned the room, confused when he didn't see the shapshifter's body. His hunter's instincts kicked in; his hearing focusing and his eyes adjusting themselves to every detail. It wasn't like his father to leave a job unfinished.

That's when he noticed the closet door closed, with a chair propped up to keep it shut. Hesitantly, he made his way over, bracing himself as he moved the chair, unsure what could be behind it. His heart was in his throat and his stomach was in knots as he turned the doorknob, his anxiety rising.

But he wasn't prepared for what tumbled out.

****

"You are going to pay for what you did to her hunter." Shapeshifter John stepped closer to Dean, the anger he had seen earlier returning.

Shit. Dean swore for the hundredth time that day. It was bad enough he had been caught off guard by a shifter once today, but to make the same mistake twice was stupid. His heart pounded in his chest as the second shifter glared at him in anger. Dean didn't know what was more frightening; that fact that he had no idea if his father was alright or the fact that a perfect likeness of the man was standing in front of him now, eyeing him in utter disgust and hatred.

The last thing he wanted to do was stay in the chair, knowing he was at a clear disadvantage, but his body refused to move. Any small movement brought him new levels of pain that left him weak and nauseous; it was all he had to stay focused. Instead, he mustered his remaining strength to keep his voice even. "You better not have touched my dad, you sonuvabitch, or I swear to God…"

"Or what?" Shifter John stepped closer, leaving Dean trapped in the chair where he sat. He smiled menacingly as he leaned forward, gripping the arms of the chair, bringing his eyes level with the young hunter. "You'll kill me?" It asked sarcastically, an eyebrow arching in amusement.

The shifters held his gaze, its eyes gloating in confidence. Dean didn't have to be told he was in serious trouble, but like always, he couldn't help but worry about his brother. His father hadn't known about the second shifter; knowing that, he couldn't help but imagine more of them just hiding and waiting. Unconsciously, Dean gazed up at the ceiling, willing his brother to hear his thoughts. The shifter noticed Dean's distracted gaze, his anger flaring in annoyance. His hand quickly clamped down around Dean's injured leg, causing him to cry out in pain as black dots swarmed his vision, but effectively bringing Dean's attention back to Shifter John. In all his life, Dean had never felt pain like this; compared to this, his run in with the black dog had only been a scratch. He was barely holding on and his breathing was shallow and haggard.

Still smiling, Shifter John gave one last squeeze, instantly rewarded by the sickening sound of bones snapping; a second break just higher than the first one. Dean's cry however, was short lived as the instant pain sent him over the edge into darkness.

****

Sam stood momentarily rooted to the floor, his mouth hanging open as sudden dread coursed through his veins. "Dad?"

The second Sam had turned the door knob, an unconscious John Winchester had tumbled out of the closet. Blood covered half of his face, but a quick examination revealed a shallow cut. "Dad! Come on wake up! Dean broke his….." Sam didn't finished his sentence, suddenly finding his mouth dry and a sizable lump in his throat as realization hit him. "Oh God, DEAN!"

Sam jumped to his feet, ready to barrel down the stairs, but was quickly knocked back to the floor. An awake and very angry John Winchester stared down at him, his fists clenching and unclenching at his side. "You sick son of a bitch. How dare you use my son against me!" In most cases John Winchester was just angry, but this was a side of his father Sam had never seen before; he was beyond angry.

Of all the things he had ever hunted, Sam was more terrified of his own father at that moment. It took him a few seconds to comprehend the situation. "No dad, it's really me!" Sam explained, trying to keep his voice even as John strode forward. "Dean, his leg is broken and the Shifter's with him, we thought it was you."

John listened with little interest. His mind was having a hard time working around the audacity of the shifter; choosing to shift into his youngest son. "I'm going to rip you apart." His father's voice was low and dangerous. In a quick movement, he pulled his spare silver knife from his boot.

He had to think of something and fast. Sam's heart nearly stopped, as the sound of Dean's painful scream filtered up from the living room. John similarly tensed at the sound of his oldest. The eerie silence that followed did nothing to clam either men, their sense of urgency rising.

Sam's face paled. "Dad, please! It's me, Sam." Any effort fell on deaf ears so he prepared himself for hand to hand combat. Short term, Sam felt confident that he could out manoeuvre his father; he had the strength, speed and Dean had been a very good teacher. But long term, his father would have the strategic advantage; the years of experience working in his favour.

As John took a first lung, Sam easily used his father's momentum against him. John, however, was ready for that, easily placing a hard kick to his exposed side. Sam stumbled back cursing, remembering all the times Dean had cautioned him about such a move. While Sam staggered backwards, John quickly took advantage aiming the silver knife towards the heart.

Sam saw it in time to dodge the blade, the point only grazing his skin through his clothes. He managed to grab hold of the older man's wrist and the two struggled for control of the knife. John quickly gained the upper hand and drove the blade partially into Sam's side.

Everything zoned out for a second for Sam, as first numbness spread through him, followed by pain. He managed to pull himself away from his father, bring the blade with him. "Jesus…..christ." Sam breathed through clenched teeth, his hand finding the hilt. Slowly he pulled it free, dropping it to the floor and adding pressure to the wound. "Shit…"

John's eyes furrowed in confusion; the silver blade should have caused more damaged than that, unless this truly was his son. "Sam?" John's eyes scrutinized him, searching for any familiarity. When the silver blade failed to cause any of the usual injuries, John's eyes widened with worry as he closed the gap between the two, reaching out to steady his youngest son. "What are you doing here?"

Sam grimaced as he took a step towards the door. "Dean…. I have to help Dean." His concern for his brother fuelled his adrenaline, allowing him to move towards the stairs, towards his brother.

John watched in stunned silence, the silver blade coated in blood lying just a foot away. For the first time in his life, he really didn't know what to do. After replacing the blade in his boot, he slung his son's arm around his shoulders, grateful that Sam had accepted his help. Of course John knew it didn't really mean anything, Sam would surely have a few choice words for him once he knew his brother was safe. They staggered down the stairs, finally coordinating on a same goal; getting to Dean and fast.

Their hearts lumped into their throats as an empty living room greeted them. "No…" Sam stepped forward, the chair where he had left his elder brother just moments before now empty. "NO!!!!!"