Chapter 12

In the weeks that followed, Snek watched as Drax began to grow more confident and stronger. He could strike nearly as fast as he could, but his strength was something that needed to be worked on. For that, he needed the pros. He needed Suiryu!

However, Angela was against Drax learning anything too drastic or something that could cause harm to him, he was just a kid after all. However, Snek saw great potential and knew he wanted to learn and become stronger. So, any time it came to getting Drax out of the house, Snek would lie and state that they were going to go out for a while and check out schools and get him more new clothing. The lies worked for the most part, however, Snek could feel Angela's piercing stare when they left the room. She was nobody's fool. And yet, she allowed it to happen.

They were on the train to City Z when Drax questioned. "Are you sure about this? What if I can't get any stronger?"

"You're ten… you're going to get stronger, trust me." Snek insisted. "Besides, they won't go hard on your. I won't allow it, yet, you know, even in defeat one does get stronger. Suiryu said he will help us today so, I say we take advantage of it!"

Drax nodded. "But it is getting colder…"

Curiosity got the better of Snek, normally Drax would jump at the chance to train, even if it was with someone new. Yet, this time, he felt insecure. "You're scared, aren't you?"

He shrugged his shoulders to it all. "It's just that…" he trailed off before looking to Snek again. "I'm scared… yes… but… I've been thinking as of late… you won't be around anymore when you turn back."

His words caught him off guard. "You're scared about that?"

Drax nodded. "You've been the closest thing I have had to an actual dad. I never had that before. I don't want to lose it either. Even if you do turn into a snake monster again, I think that's cool!" he said but then realized. "But, with you being like that… I won't see you as often. You won't stay with mom and I…"

"I can't. The floor won't hold me… seriously, I weigh over a ton when I am that thing."

"I know…" Drax trailed off again as he stared out the window.

They arrived in City Z, from there they walked to Bang's temple, up the countless stairs and took the path to Garou's house. There, Suiryu was waiting. "HEY! You made it!" he cheered.

Snek smiled and patted Drax on the shoulder. "Go easy on him please, unless he says otherwise. K Suiryu?"

Suiryu's smile only grew as he leaned down. "Come on Drax, let me see what this old snake taught you!"

"I ain't that old!"

"Surrreee"

He got a smile out of the kid as they went to the sparring pit. Snek went inside to see Melee. The house was relatively empty. "Wow, not often that nearly everyone goes out…" he paused. "Even Amai?"

She nodded. "Hunter is forcing him out to do patrols. After all, he's still in A Class, isn't he?" she said with a sinister grin on her face.

It hit him. "That's why you didn't have his rank pulled! BRILLANT!" he announced. Melee made fresh coffee and poured a cup for Snek. From there he went back outside and watched Drax and Suiryu spar and train. The kid was good, Suiryu even smiled to the effort he was putting in. Yet there was something lacking. Drax would try for so long but then appear to lose his focus.

"Come on, you got this, keep going!"

Drax would try time and time again to rally himself, yet after a few punches and kicks, he would lose interest. "I think I am done." He said. "It's getting cold out."

Suiryu only smirked. "It's not that cold out. Come on, I think you got more in you. Why are you holding back?"

Drax looked away. Snek got a little closer until he heard. "Why should I train with you when I know when Snek turns back… I won't be able to train with you guys again? I feel its all for nothing,"

Suiryu was surprised. "Who said you won't be able to train with us again? Drax, you are more than welcomed to come here and practice, we're usually here…"

"But… I want Snek to stay with us!" he protested. "He's the closest thing I have to a dad! I don't want to lose that, I haven't had something like this before. Even mom is happier around him!"

Snek began to approach, he placed his hand on Drax's shoulder. It caught the kid off guard as he leaned down. "You know this isn't forever for me, right?" questioned Snek. "This was a mere gift I got from Garou and his family. It is only going to last me a few months. I can't control this, I can't be human on a whim, you understand?"

Drax was weeping, but he began to clear the tears from his eyes. "Why can't they make it permanent? Why can't Amai Mask be you from now on?"

Suiryu even snickered at the notion. "As must as we would like that, it isn't fair to him either. Granted, the jerk deserves it, but still," said Suiryu.

"I would do that too, but I also know there is a lot more I can do as that creature than I can being human. I have helped a lot of people that way, it maybe greedy on my part, but this is also my curse as it were. Not Sweet Mask's, I have to be the one to take it back."

"Couldn't we live with you?" asked Drax. "Couldn't mom and I move here?"

Snek never thought of that idea. Suiryu however snickered again. "Garou would be pissed!"

"I would have to ask him about it. Remember this is his home, not mine. I was taken in because he knew I needed help. I don't know what he would say about having others stay here otherwise."

"That depends…"

Snek jumped as Garou appeared right behind him!

"Shit, don't do that!"

He smirked, as he turned to Drax. "Before I couldn't sneak up on him, now making him jump is easy!" He then stared down at the kid, thinking over what was said. "So… you would want to live here huh? Just to be closer to Snek?"

Drax nodded. "He's been like a dad to me… I never really had one."

"Ah, well, you do realize if you moved here with your mom, those stairs that you came up. You would take every single day to go up and down. To school, to hang out with friends, getting groceries…" he named off. The kid's face dropped, realizing it was true. "Not to mention, you got a house full of monsters… and half monsters… we're crowded and they can be loud and annoying."

"HEY!" protested Snek and Suiryu.

"I know having a father figure is important. I can make certain that Snek visits you every day even when he is turned back. But… if your mother is certain about this notion. I don't see why you couldn't stay here with us…"

Even Snek was stunned. "Really?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "It's not like I got much of a choice, once Melee hears of this she will invite them. I may as well beat her to the punch for once, surprise her!" he said, but he looked to Drax. "This has to be your mother's call too. It may take some time to think about. For now, get your training in." With that, Garou went back towards the house.

"He would let us stay!"

"Don't get too excited on the idea kid, I don't think your mother will go for it," warned Snek. "Besides, as he said. He will make sure I visit you ever day… and he will make sure of it, if not he will give me hell about it!"

"For now though…" announced Suiryu. "Let's get back to training, because if you are going to stay, we train. Everyone in the house trains, so will you! So… get your strength up now so you can hold your own later!" He stood at the ready, this time Drax had the drive and willingness to continue!