Chapter 4

Hunter said nothing as he flew Snek back home.

They to City F in no time, from there for the first time in years, Snek was able to walk through the doors of his apartment, go into the elevator and up to his suite. Hunter was oddly silent through the whole thing, yet when it came to a stop, he walked Snek to his condo. He reached into his pocket and revealed Snek's house keys and wallet. "I went back for them." He explained.

It brought a smile to the former A Class hero. He took the keys and unlocked the door. He felt as if he just moved in for the first time.

Nothing changed. Everything was clean and pristine. Even his dojo outfit was still on the chair, yet as Snek looked about, he kept seeing Hunter appear rather upset. "Not you too!" he protested.

Hunter smirked. A tear escaped from him "You… were the first friend Pac and I really had." He said, but cleared away a tear. "Despite our first interaction, and how you spoke to us… you never kept that mindset. You even stood up for my brother and I when the other fighters came at us. That alone said a lot."

"Kid, you know this isn't forever. I am going to be back in what is it…"

"Four months."

Snek nodded. "4 months, I am not going to be human forever. I am going to make the most of it, but I will come and visit you kids! Not to mention, Garou promised me, the day you take Amai out to hunt. I get to see it!"

"Front row center!" Hunter vowed.

Snek stuck his hand out to Hunter. "I'm proud to call you a friend too."

Hunter smiled and shook his hand. "If you need anything, you know where we are."

"I'll be fine, kid. I've lived on my own before!" With that Hunter walked out of the room. Snek took it all in, with a deep breath he felt as if his life just started over again. He placed his things away, before realizing something. "Shit, I got to get food… then again… is that fridge even working?" He went to inspect his refrigerator, and was also half expecting a very nasty and disgusting surprise.

However, the fridge appeared new. Recently replaced. Inside, it was full of food and premade meals! There was even a note.

'The boys knew you would need something later on, we all helped. Melee'

He smirked and closed the door.

Snek decided he needed a shower, a change of clothing and perhaps some time getting reacquainted with his legs.

#

He was out and about within the hour, wearing new clothing Melee bought for him for his birthday, a regular and comfortable track suit of all things! It allowed him to keep warm as he took in the city once more. But found the people oddly distant from him. They would stare as some whispered. "He looks a lot like Snek before he became an M Class Dragon!"

"Must be a fan."

"No kidding!"

Snek shook his head to it all. "We're back to that are we?" he sighed. But at the moment, it didn't matter. People could be oblivious to him and he could care less!

As he walked, he decided to get a hot breakfast, a fresh coffee and sit outside to enjoy the scenery. He took a moment to savor the sounds of the city once more, the cars that drove by, even the occasional honking of the horn from some angry driver. It was nice to rekindle memories of his city life.

#

As night fell, Snek was back at his condo. He warmed up a nice dinner for himself, yet as he sat down to eat, he paused. He looked about his table and found it oddly empty. Normally Hunter would sit at the end to tell everyone about his day, what he did and the weird shit that happened throughout. Suiryu and Alley would talk about their next date. Pac would only speak if he had accomplished something major for himself or just to offer his two cents on a subject at the table. Garou would tell Snek about possible hunting places and where they could go for their next meal. Melee would joke about with everyone as Lightning Max laughed aloud to Hunter's stories. The twins would be sitting in silence for the most part, yet when it came to eat, they were the loudest out of the whole table!

He already missed it. It was hardly 24 hours and yet, Snek missed the company. "Is that what I have really been missing all these years?" he asked himself.

He ate in silence, but even that became unsettling. He turned the TV on just for some noise only to snicker at the main news story.

"Amai Mask is taking a break from his busy schedule, apparently he is overworked and is advised to take some time off, he has taken the advice to heart and will be out of the public eye for some time."

"Over worked. HA!" Snek laughed. After dinner, he began to unpack a few things. He nearly forgot about all his birthday gifts too! He opened the first one from Alley and Suiryu. Suiryu got him a coffee bar gift card. Alley made a new outfit for him she liked to call 'Snek Tech.'

It was a comfortable looking outfit, nearly like a sweat suit yet a little more sophisticated. He took a closer look at the material and saw an oddly familiar shine to it. Then the scaled pattern! "She made this out of my old skin?" he said. He was impressed, he would still wear it but won't tell anyone what it's made out of.

Next was Pac's gift. He opened it up and found new blankets, they were far larger than what is usually used for a bed and weighted. "Ah, nice, that will work when I change back." He said.

The last gift was from Lightning Max. Once again a coffee bar gift certificate and also a promise 'you want to go hunting some time, let Suiryu and I know. We will both take you and help you!'

"Nice thought Max." With the gifts opened, Snek went to his bedroom. He placed fresh sheets on his bed and fluffed up his pillows. He changed into Pajamas for the first time in years, it was still a little weird for him to do so, yet he wasn't about to complain!

Sliding into his bed, Snek got himself settled and went to sleep.