Another Mouthful

The next morning finds everybody in John's room to discuss the particulars of the current hunt. Sam's sitting on one of the beds and Dean's leaning against the wall. John's pacing and Bobby's sitting at the small table with all his research spread out in front of him. For a change, Sam's the first one to speak.

"Another Kitsune…things just got interesting."

Bobby pulls his hat off and scratches at his scalp…wondering how the boy knew that, replying with

"Yeah, it's a Kitsune. How did ya know that, Sam?"

Sam rolls his eyes as if it should be obvious to the other hunters in the room.

"Because I did all the research on the last one, remember?"

Dean snickers and shakes his head, his little bro never ceasing to amaze him and John stops in his tracks.

"A Kitsune, Singer…you needed three hunters (the slam against Sam does not go unnoticed by the others in the room) for a Kitsune…getting feeble in your old age?"

"Dad!"

Dean interjects and Bobby's dander goes up.

"Now, ya listen here Winchester…I don't need any of yer lip. There happens to be more than one of em and the way I understand it…Sam, here, is the one that killed the first one ya'll ever encountered…ya arrogant dick, don't treat the boy that way in front of me or I'll show ya feeble!"

Sam's eyes go wide at Bobby's rant and he blushes with the compliment (even if it isn't true) and Dean smirks to cover up his pride at his little brother's accomplishment and Bobby's heart felt 'protectiveness' of Sam. Bobby Singer is truly one of a kind. Dean can't count or remember all the times that the old hunter has been there for him and his brother whether it be training them to track or giving them a safe place to stay for a few days. Bobby always comes through. John mumbles something and stalks to the open bed and sits down, chastised for now, looking every bit like a pouting child.

Sam continues with his questions.

"Do they have an established hunting ground…who's been turning up dead?"

"Well, near as I can tell…the hunting ground is a couple of vacant lots just outside of city limits…frequented by riff raff and they'd be the victims."

Sam seems to be deep in thought now, he's wondering about Amy—did she get somewhere safe—he's hoping she's not here for her own sake, so Dean asks the next question.

"How do you know there's more than one?"

"Well, the feeding pattern is off for just one…unless they're stocking up for the winter or something, but seeing as its July now…I highly doubt that's the case."

John just sits and listens to his boys and is once again in awe of how well they seem to work together…both of them asking questions like seasoned hunters and the fact that Sam knew what they were up against before Bobby told them is not lost on John and make no mistake, John is proud of Sam… he just can't show it and if that makes him a bastard…so be it.

They spend the rest of the morning setting up their game plan for the night and when Dean's stomach starts to audibly growl, it signals lunchtime. They decide to find a diner as they're walking to the vehicles; Bobby puts a hand on Sam's shoulder and pulls him back slightly.

"Ah…Sam, ya got some mail delivered to the junk yard…it's from a college…it's pretty thick…somethin ya wanna talk about?"

Sam lets out a breath and turns sad eyes on Bobby. The boy's look says it all—pain and excitement all rolled together. Bobby lowers his head and looks up at Sam from under the bill of his hat and puts a gentle hand on the boy's shoulder and squeezes.

"We'll talk later, kid."

Dean has witnessed the moment pass between Sam and Bobby, his curiosity has gone up another notch. He's more determined than ever to find out what's going on with his little brother. They take the Impala to the diner and now they are all sitting in the last booth, waiting to order. Sam thinks the service in this place stinks just as a gum smacking waitress saunters up to their table, "What can I get ya?" When she catches sight of Dean her gum almost falls out of her mouth and Sam can't hide his amusement—his brother's like gravity, people are just drawn to him—she's so cliché and obvious that Sam has to stifle a laugh. He whispers to Dean to order for him…he's going to the restroom and chokes back another laugh as Dean finally looks up at the garish figure leaning over their table, gum hanging on the corner of her mouth and grimaces. Sam stands up and pulls to his full height…dimpled grin coming out to play and strokes at his chin in amusement while Dean just shoots him a 'help me' look as Sam walks away from the table shaking his head and finally succumbing to silent laughter. He can feel the heat from his big brother's glare on his back as he continues towards the bathroom only to turn and mouth at Dean while batting his eyelashes…

"You're so pretty"

Dean just smirks at him and shakes his head. Yeah, Sam knows he's dead when he gets back to the table but considering what Bobby just told him Sam's gonna get all the brotherly bonding he can and with that thought the easy grin just slips from his face and he turns back towards the bathroom hoping that Dean didn't see it. Dean saw the look that came over Sam's face and he knows Sam tried to hide it. Dean's even more curious now. Don't give Dean Winchester a puzzle…he loves puzzles…can't stop until he's solved them. Yeah, it's safe to say that he and little brother are gonna have a little talk, mono e mono…

Tbc

A/N: Hope you are enjoying the story so far…review please. Next chapter—action, I promise.