Between Slavery & Friendship

Prologue

America, July 16, 1862 -

Dean and Castiel are sitting in the shade of a nearby tree, carving branches into makeshift arrows.

"Maybe if I get a deer this time, father will be proud." Dean says smiling wide. The 11 year old does everything he can to please his father, without a care for his own safety or pain.

Castiel smiles back as he smooths one side of his arrow down. "I am sure of it. You will get the biggest deer that anyone has ever killed, it will be so big that when he goes to mount it on the wall it will nearly break the wall down and he will have to cut it in half just to get it up there and once he gets it up there, it will be on the walls for everyone to see and there will be a party to celebrate the large bounty and we will feast for weeks on that one deer and people will come from all around to see the famous deer that was slain by Dean Winchester." Castiel turns big blue eyes to Dean in astonishment as if he can see the whole thing playing out in front of him, as if it is already happening.

Dean scoffs and punches Castiel's shoulder playfully, "Castiel, don't let your imagination get so out of control." He says it as if he believes it is a foolish, childish idea but Castiel can see the thankful smile on his lips and he knows that Dean is trying to keep from jumping around in excitement.

They go back to whittling their arrows as the sun falls to its slumber.

* * * * *

The next morning, Castiel goes to Dean's chambers to wake him at the time Master John said. Dean was to wake early to get ready for the long day in the woods.

When Castiel gets to Dean's bed, though, he finds that he is not there. He searches the room with his eyes, Dean doesn't normally wake before Castie

"Dean?"

"In here"

Castiel moves to follow the sound of Dean's voice. He finds him in the washroom just as he finished tying up his bottoms.

"Could you help me with this?" Dean asks, motioning towards his hunting gear.

Castiel goes to help Dean get ready for his day of hunting.

"You aren't usually up before me." Castiel notes absently.

"I couldn't sleep very well last night, I was too nervous for today. Father has never taken me along with him to hunt before." Dean says, as Castiel ties up the back of the hunting shirt.

"Yes, I know, Dean." Castiel laughs under his breath. "I would have been there had you been hunting before. I go everywhere with you."

Dean rolls his eyes, "I could order you to stay if you'd like? Have someone else tend to me for the day?" He says it jokingly but he has recently realized that he tends to shove his foot where his mouth should go.

Castiel just frowns at Dean, a look between confusion and hurt. Before Dean can fix it, John is there to take them off to their hunt.

* * * * *

Dean didn't hit a deer that day.

* * * * *

Dean is Castiel's best friend, but he is also his master. Or owner, or whatever you would like to call it. Castiel had been sold at the age of 4 to the Winchester family. His life had simply been a payment for his mother to travel to the new world. Being so young when he was sold, he never knew his father, or his siblings (if he had any). The only memory that he had of his mother was the day she handed him over to the slave auctioneer.