Through Demon Eyes

This Time I Won't Forget Part 2

“Sam,” Cas's gentle voice came from the door, “Someone is here. It's not Dean.”

“Ever meet a Shaman before Cas?” Sam asked as he turned to face the angel. Cas's eyebrows pinched together as he gave Sam a questioning look.

“No, the followers of the false Gods didn't fall under our jurisdiction.”

Sam winced, “I strongly suggest you don't use the term false God around Coyote. You probably won't appreciate how she chooses to enlighten you to the realities of the situation. Let's go say hi.”

They walked back up the stairs, Sam narrowed his eyes against the harsh glare of the sun, looked up the driveway and saw a beat up, old truck working it's way towards the burnt out shell of the house. He took a few steps towards it and waved. The truck came to a stop and Running Coyote, Rising Dove and Cougar Kills Bear got out.

Coyote didn't even hesitate, she walked right to him and pulled him close. “Sam, I...I don't know what to say.”

He could tell she was fighting back tears. Sympathy was the last thing he needed right now but he knew how much she cared for Dean, he also knew she would do what had to be done. He gripped her tightly for a brief moment but ended the embrace much sooner than either of them would have liked. Crying wasn't going to accomplish anything and they both knew it.

“There's nothing to say,” he said, “Thank you for coming, I know this is hard.”

Her hand brushed his cheek, “Not as hard as it is for you.”

Her hair was in braids, her raven black eyes were locked on his. She was wearing her usual hunting outfit, black shirt, black jeans, work boots. The silver armband with the coyote figure on it was on her right arm and he had felt the gun tucked in her waistband. There may be tears in her eyes but she knew this was a hunt. He looked past her, Rising Dove, her teacher had his silver hair back in one long braid, he wore a white an unbuttoned red and white checked flannel shirt with a dark brown t-shirt underneath, faded blue jeans and cowboy boots. Sam almost lost control of his emotions when he saw the amount of compassion and understanding that was in Rising Dove's face. Coyote was bad enough, Rising Dove was offering him empathy without judgment, which was something Sam had rarely seen or experienced. Cougar Kills Bear was impassive, his huge size was somehow comforting for Sam to see. Cougar had his black hair loose, it brushed past his shoulders, a long sleeve, white tight pullover shirt left no questions as to how much muscle he had. He wasn't wearing jeans like the others, he wore loose, black pants that reminded Sam of martial arts training gear. Sam knew that nothing would get past Cougar to hurt either Rising Dove or Coyote. He was glad they had brought him along.

“Guys, this is Castiel, Cas for short. He's an angel. Cas, this is Running Coyote, Rising Dove and Cougar Kills Bear. Coyote and Rising Dove are Shamans. Hopefully bringing ya'll together doesn't break some unwritten rule somewhere.”

“I hardly think there are any rules left that we haven't broken,” Cas said with a slight smile on his face. He reached his hand out towards Coyote.

Sam was surprised at how calm Rising Dove took the pronouncement of an angel in their midst, Cougar's eyes widened but he showed nothing else on his face.

Coyote's face broke out into a huge grin. “Guess even an angel can't stay out of trouble hanging around the Winchesters.” As soon as she spoke the grin disappeared, “Shit. Sorry, Sam. Old habits die hard.” She shook Cas's hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Pleased to meet you as well.” Cas made sure to shake the two men's hands and looked back at Sam.

“Let's get back into the panic room,” he said, “We need to coordinate a few things.” He led them to the room and they all filed in. “What's with the truck Coyote?” He asked as they all settled in.

“Dean knows my car. I figured the truck would blend in better.”

“Smart.” He looked at each of them in turn, saving Cas for last. “Cas, I'm giving you a choice. Stay and don't interfere or leave. I know how much you care about Dean, about us. You're not going to like what I am going to do.”

Castiel leaned against the wall and in very non Cas-like manner crossed his arms and stared right back at him. His posture reminded Sam so much of Dean at that moment. “You're going to try to kill him, not save him, correct?”

Sam wasn't too surprised Cas had figured some of it out. “In a manner of speaking, yes”

Cas moved his chin towards Coyote, “Why are they here?”

“It's complicated, you have to trust me.”

Sam found he couldn't pull his eyes away from the angel's clear, blue eyes as he pushed himself off the wall and walked towards him. He may have another angel's grace that was quickly fading but that pull, that power, it was still there. Castiel was eons old and at that moment Sam felt every single one of those years piercing him, drawing him in. Castiel was showing his gentle side now but Sam remembered every single time Cas had been forced to kill, to fight, how he was when he first entered their lives. Harsh, cold, a soldier, who couldn't, wouldn't question. Until he met them and they taught him how to rebel, to fall. Sam could never decide if the free will they had shown Castiel was worth the price he had paid for it.

Cas stopped two steps from him and placed a hand on his shoulder. “He is my friend as are you, but he is your brother. We know what he is, what has to be done. I won't interfere. I know how much thought you have put into whatever it is you're planning, the choices you're making, the path you are choosing. It is not my place to fight with you about it. This is your call Sam, I'll back you, just as he would have if he were here.” Cas wrapped his arms around him, Sam couldn't handle any more sympathy and barely managed to return the embrace.

“Ok, uh, thanks,” he stammered as he tried to focus. “Let's figure things out then.” 

 The five of them spent the next hour or so coordinating, planning and sending up silent prayers to the Great Spirit.