Chapter 10

Amai was enjoying it. As strange as it was he liked this new way of life. Everything appeared rather calm and peaceful in the house of Garou, although he would be the first to admit, he never thought such a thing was possible! He stayed in the house for the time being, peering about and making certain he knew where everything was. However a moment of hunger came over him, he needed something to eat! He found the kitchen with ease and opened up a fridge. Inside appeared to be plenty of leftovers. He took one item thinking it would be enough, however, as he ate, his stomach demanded more. Much more!

Before he knew it, Amai cleared out not just the single fridge meant for the family, but that of Suiryu's and Max's! Even with everything eaten, he wasn't the least bit satisfied! "What is wrong with this body?" he muttered. "I eat yet it does nothing for this hunger."

He needed to distract his hunger. Amai gave himself a tour of Garou's home, peering into the rooms and figured out who slept where. The rooms were a curious feature. One was massive, nearly the size of the living room, with nothing more than a firm memory foam floor. Yet as his eyes peered at the wall, he saw photos of a former A Class hero plastered about. He framed fan letters and his rank promotion letters given to him by the association. He sneered in disgust. "Snek," he said distastefully.

"That's my name"

He jumped. The sight of Snek started Amai! However Snek only smirked and slithered by… with a massive lump in his core. "Ugh!" Amai muttered.

"What? Jealous you didn't get to it first?" Snek asked. But there was a strange look that came over his face, one that made it clear he knew something wasn't right. "You know, Garou. You've been out cold, you are probably hungry to say the least. I think we ought to take you hunting!"

"Hunting…" Amai said and trailed off his words. "What kind of hunting… I mean… Demon threat, dragon threat?" he asked.

"Well, you haven't eaten in three days, so I think you could at least use two dragon threat monsters, that ought to fill you up!"

Amai was doing everything he could to hide the disgusted feeling he was enduring. But, Snek was right. His stomach moaned and grumbled for something to eat. "Yeah, perhaps I could go for something to eat sooner than later."

"Good, later tonight, maybe you and I will go out. I am sure we can find something for you, for now I am going to rest up." Snek slithered into his room and closed the double doors behind him.

A sense of dread began to fill Amai, despite the power he has obtained, he never thought about the adverse affects of being Garou! However this was but a minor setback, he still obtained everything else. Power for one, and after what he witnessed Garou go through with his battle against Saitama, this must only be a taste of that Saitama possesses! Still, to be close enough to hold his own against a man with phenomenal strength and power is nothing to sneeze at!

"Dad!"

He froze as three teenagers came barreling in and embracing him tightly. The triplets. Hunter, Pac and Alley were holding him as tightly as they could. He couldn't believe how strong they were. And that was just a heartfelt embrace!

"Easy now. I just woke up!"

"Oh, sorry." Said Hunter.

Hunter… the sickening feeling overcame Amai as he stared down the young upstart. Yet, Sweet Mask was now posing as his father. He was smiling on the inside about it all. He was Hunter's father now! And perhaps, advice given by such an authoritative figure would be taken to heart.

Enough to push him to the brink and ensure he will never want to be a hero again! "Dad?"

He snapped out of the train of thought. The triplets were staring at him oddly. "Dad, are you okay?" Alley asked gently.

"Just fine sweetheart, just fine." He insisted.

"Hey dad, I was wondering if maybe you and I could go out and practice for a bit?" asked Hunter. "I want to see if I am perhaps ready to go back out on patrol and what not. What do you say?"

"Sure! You know what, let's do this now!" he said.

Hunter was surprised, but smiled and rushed out the door. Amai soon followed, grinning evilly with what he was about to put Hunter through!

Amai followed him out the door, but as he turned, he saw Snek waving the other two into his room about something. Snek noticed him staring too. "Don't go too hard on Hunter, Garou! He's not 100%!"

"Don't worry, I'll go easy on him!" he vowed. As he walked out the door, his smirk only grew.

Hunter wasn't too far from the house. "Come on dad!" he said with great excitement. Amai followed him down to where the family spars. From there, Hunter stood at the ready. "Okay, I think I can do this! Let's go!" he announced.

Amai grinned. "If you think you're ready…"

Before Hunter could say a word, he struck! Amai moved fast and was able to hit Hunter in the stomach! The kid flew back and yet landed on his feet! He coughed up some blood before looking at Amai with shock and fear. "Dad… not so hard!" he said.

"How else will you learn?"

Sweet Mask began to move once more, yet Hunter caught on. He was avoiding the strikes, but some were just grazing him! Despite his best attempts to strike Hunter down, the kid was too good. As well, Amai didn't have a full understanding of Garou's body yet. Such a beating to the boy will have to wait until he masters it. In a mere twenty minutes, Hunter couldn't go on anymore. "I can't, let's stop…"

"I never quite when I felt that way, why should you. Aren't you my son?"

It made Hunter freeze, slowly he turned and gazed up at Amai who was stared down at him with great disappointment. Hunter forced himself up on to his feet again and took his stance. His legs were trembling, his arms quivered. He almost appeared as if he would pass out then and there! But Sweet Mask wasn't going to show him mercy. He was ready to go at him once more! Hunter was weak, it was time to strike him down!

BASH!

Amai stumbled, he was blindsided! He growled at whoever hit him. Suiryu stood before Hunter and his fist was clenched. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he demanded.

"Training… my son."

"More like beating the hell out of him." Hunter's eyes rolled back. Suiryu caught him before he could hit the ground. "Ease there big guy. You're pushing yourself too hard again!" he lifted Hunter up on to his shoulder before glaring at Amai once more. It was that look in his eyes that made Sweet Mask take notice.

Suiryu froze for a moment, as he continued to look into his eyes.

Does he know, that Garou isn't the one standing before him?