Chapter 7

He spent the whole day shopping for Angela and the kid. First thing first, they took all the leftovers to the condo. From there, Snek could gauge what was needed and what could fit. He has a space in the apartment that was to be reserved for a large, walk in pantry, but it will be converted to the kid's new room. He would section off his bedroom to fit in another bed. But for the time being, he would be more than happy to take the couch until that could be arranged. They went back out and got new clothing, beds and mattresses. When he returned to the apartment, there was a note on his balcony window.

The kid paused. "Someone was up this high?" he asked.

Snek nodded as he opened the balcony door and took the note off the window, all it said was 'tomorrow' he smirked to it and tucked it away. "What's so funny?" Angela asked.

"Going to see some friends of mine tomorrow night, you two came come with me if you want. I will warn you, there will be stairs!"

#

The next day, he took them to City Z. The Kid was reluctant to go, he didn't trust Snek at all. Angela was nervous. Snek could tell she wasn't certain about his idea of meeting his friends, but he assured them, that they would be safe.

As they walked the city, Snek finally found the mountains. He smirked and pointed to the peek. "We have to go up there." He explained.

"That's Bang's dojo. So you're friends with an old fart like that, big deal!"

"I know Bang, but we aren't here to see him. Come on, let's get walking!" Snek led the way as he tried to explain that his friends are a little different. "You know, being what I was and all…"

"You were an M Class Dragon or something, so what? It's not like the others hang out with you. I know the S Class don't even do that!" Kid said.

Snek smirked, he didn't say anything more as they continued on their way up. When they reached the final step, he brought them along a path. It was short and narrow, but he insisted that they follow him. "Keep close, this path is a little tricky at times." They ventured deep into the woods, it got to a point even the kid looked nervous. However, something caught Snek's attention. He paused for a moment, but swore he heard something. He looked about, until he tilted his head up. At the top of his lungs, he said. "ENOUGH WITH THE GAMES YOU TWO!" up to the trees.

Angela screamed, the kid jumped as two large bodies dropped down before him. When they looked, two massive teenagers stood over him. Their eyes glowed in the dark, their frames befitting of large men! Yet when they came into the light, they smiled and acted like children!

"SNAKE!"

The twins caught Snek in a crushing embrace. "Okay… enough! Can't breath!"

They were quick to let him go. He caught his breath but laughed. "You… two got… stronger."

"We've been training!" said Draven.

"A lot of training, we just mastered our endurance and are now working on strength." Explained Goliath.

"Who… or what are they?" kid demanded.

"Kid, these are the twins; Goliath on the left, Draven on the right. Twins, this is well, I call him kid right now, and his mom Angela, they are my friends and guests for dinner tonight."

The twins smiled but looked down at kid oddly. Goliath leaned down an stared into the kid's face oddly. His head tilted off to the side in slight confusion. "Does he belong to you?" asked Goliath.

"He does" Angela explained as she brought her son in closer to herself.

"No, to Snake… Snake?"

"I just met him, no he doesn't belong to me." He insisted.

Goliath appeared rather confused, but shrugged his shoulders to it all. He stood up once more and began to led everyone towards the house. Draven bombarded Snek with question. How was he, what was it like to be human again, did he miss being a snake, when he was coming back, how long was four months.

Sometimes Snek wondered if he had really caught up to Goliath in maturity!

When they reached the clearing, Angela and kid's eyes widened in shock. In the middle of the woods was a large Japanese style mansion! "What the hell is that doing here?" kid demanded.

Snek turned, his arms extended as he announced. "Welcome to the house of Garou! Also known as The Dragon's Keep"

Snek turned and began to approach the house, only to see Angela and kid freeze in their steps. He turned to see if something was wrong. "The house… of Garou? You mean the human monster Garou?" Angela asked.

"They very same one"

Angela shrieked as she held kid closer to her. Garou appeared right behind her but was taken aback by her scream. Snek tried to settle things and insisted he was a friend. "Seriously, Garou and I are friends. I consider him to be one of the best ones I got!" he explained.

"Really? That's news to me"

"Shut up." Snek snapped back.

Garou on the other hand was looking down at the kid. He went as far as leaning down and looking into his eyes. "I know that look," he said. "The same one I had when I was your age. Piss off with the world and how it was treating me. Be careful though, sometimes, what becomes your driving force can be your very downfall."

The kid turned a different shade of white, Garou stood up once more before asking Snek. "Are you ready for tonight?"

Snek was smiling from ear to ear. "Am I ever, where is he?"

Garou grinned as he pointed to the house. "Around back, he's trying to sleep off this gnawing sensation. You may need to give him a pep talk!"

Snek turned to Angela and Kid. "You two can go inside, I got to go check up on someone."

They were reluctant, until Kid saw Hunter in the distance. "Wait… is that the Leviathan Prince?" he asked.

Snek turned. "Yeah, and he's training with Suiryu."

"SUIRYU!"

"Yeah, go watch them, they won't mind the least bit." Said Garou. "I'll go with you. Miss, my mate is inside, she would be delighted to meet you."

Snek took Angela to the house, when she got settled he went around back. Snek was smiling from ear to ear when he saw him. Amai Mask lying on his back in the sun, he appeared as if he were trying to get a tan. Yet the moment he was close enough, the cringe came over Sweet Mask. "What," he demanded. "I am working on my complexion"

"Yeah, that bullshit and you know it. Snakes don't tan." Snek said, but then began to look down Amai's serpent body. "Huh, you haven't changed the least bit. You must be starving."

"I'm… not… hungry." He said slowly and defiantly. He took off the sunglasses and glared at him. "If you tell anyone, otherwise…"

Snek laughed. "Yeah, yeah I know the drill. Besides, far be it from me to tell you when to eat. All I know is after I first turned, I didn't eat for months in the hospital. Then again, I wasn't that mobile and drank a lot of crappy coffee." Snek paused though. "If you are trying to sleep off hunger pains, you're doing it all wrong. Sunning yourself only speeds up your metabolism."

"If I wanted your advice, I would simply ask for it."

"Suit yourself, but you got to be starving…"

"I'm not hungry!" Amai hissed.

Snek's hands went up in surrender. "Okay, not a word…" Snek decided to mess with him, he approached and leaned down towards Amai and whispered how board he was as a human being.

He watched the sunglasses drop off of Amai's face, a look of hope filled his eyes as he believed for a moment that Snek would change back if given the opportunity. However Snek was quick to dash his hopes when Amai asked if they would be changing back sooner than later.

"God no!" Snek laughed. "I said I was board of it, I didn't say I was sick of it. Besides, you have yet to really suffer. I want to see that happen first hand,"

The look of disappointment came over Amai, he sneered as he leaned back in the chair and went back to sunning himself. Snek was told to leave him alone shortly after, in which he did. After all, he couldn't wait for tonight. Amai was going to get something good to eat!