Chapter 36

The days flew by, the house was abuzz and there were but a few days left until Christmas. He snickered when the Twin's gift arrived and barely fit through the double doors. Everyone in the family grew curious as to what it was, but Mask only tucked the packages behind the tree as best he could. They stuck out like a sore thumb! If anything it was as if he were trying to hide two industrial tires in the living room!

Amai finished shopping ages ago, and yet for the first time, he was looking forward to Christmas morning! There was an excitement in the air, and he couldn't help but be caught up in all of it. He decided to give Snek his gift early. So, he made his way to City F, not for patrol, but to see Snek of all people. He called him ahead of time and asked him to meet him outside of his condo.

Snek obliged.

He stood there waiting. Despite the chill in the air and the fresh snow on the ground, Amai made his way towards him. "This is a first, what's this about?" Snek asked.

"I want to show you something…"

Curiosity got the better of Snek as he nodded. Amai slithered along, yet couldn't help but feel he was being followed. He turned and saw children trailing the path he was making with his slither. Snek turned and snickered. "Yeah, you get a little fan club when you can clear the streets like that. Wait until you get to the park, help a kid make a snow fort and it will make their day! Besides, you got my strangling ability right? You can make one hell of a snowball!"

"I'm surprise to be this coherent in the cold like this… Alley new device is splendid." Snek looked over Amai and found he was dressed in waterproof material that covered his back and upper body. "She managed to tuck in a heating device into this outfit. Granted, not my material, but I won't complain, it's the warmest I have felt since I discovered that!" he said and pointed to an odd structure.

Snek appeared confused, he approached what he thought was an art piece of a massive, large flat stone. "Uh… huh… what is it?"

Amai smirked. "A warming station for when you return to this. In the winter, it's a heating rock. During the summer it will cool you down. I am having one of these put into each city for you. Consider it a little peace offering and a Christmas gift."

There was a look of shock on Snek's face. "Really? You did this?" he asked.

"I can't say I enjoy the sensation of nearly blacking out when it gets too cold, I have yet to handle any sort of heat like this, but I can only assume it is just as uncomfortable."

"Wow… I can't believe you did this for me."

"I also did it for me, I mean, look at me!" he said.

Snek smirked. "I doubt you would go through all that trouble since you turn back in what? Two and a half weeks?"

Amai smirked, but the smile vanished. "Are you ready to go back?" he asked.

Snek was silent, he thought it over but then, nodded his head. "Honestly, I am. I know what I got right now ain't mine. But also, I feel as if I can do a lot more like that than like this…"

"I've felt first hand what you can do. Never did I consider the power you possessed, the vibrations you can feel… recently I used that ability to find survivors after a monster attack. Had I been human, I would have walked away without knowing! It's remarkable."

"Glad you are seeing the light in all this." Snek forced a smile. "You know, this just about makes up for everything you have said or done to me…"

A pit formed in Amai Mask. "I still have one more labor to do…" he said offhandedly.

"Labor? Is that how you see it? Let me ask, are you doing this for the sake of doing this? Or are you doing this because it means something to you?" Snek questioned.

Sweet Mask sighed. "It's both." He said. "Many things I have done are for the sake of doing them, just to say yes, I accomplished this while I looked like this. But, now, it does mean something to me. I see things a little clearer now, I understand the M Class better than I could before. I know now they are not out to make other heroes look bad, they truly want to help the people. They would be more monstrous if they did nothing at all with the strength and abilities they possess. How could one sit idly by as others risk their own lives who may not have the power or ability to withstand an attack?" he paused. "From here on, I will be a better hero than I was before. I am still merciless to those I deem evil… but the M Class are no longer evil in my eyes."

Snek nodded. "I hope this sticks, I know you, sometimes you say something and then you don't fulfill it. Don't think I didn't know about the bet you made with Garou and Hunter when that rookie crushing happened!"

This shocked Amai. "You knew?"

"Why do you think I fought so hard? I wasn't going to let the kid down like that! Not to mention, I know what it's like to be kept in one spot for so long and yet not able to go anywhere. I also know that no matter how hard I worked at it. I wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the top of A Class, I get it. I ain't strong enough, but, being the serpent… I know I am, I know what I can do and how much I can help the people. I can see now why they would want that version of me over this one."

"I'm surprised that there are people that love me like this over the human version of myself as well…"

"Oh come off it, you're Amai Mask! You could be a shaved jackass and I am sure the women would still swoon over you!"

"I don't wish to test that notion."

"Me either." Laughed Snek. "So, anything you want for Christmas?"

Amai froze. "Why are you asking me?"

"Well, I am going to be at Garou's for Christmas, I got to start moving my stuff back. I'll be bringing a friend of mine and the kid with me…"

"This friend, old acquaintance I assume?" he asked.

Snek nodded. "Back when I just got into A Class, we were going steady until the rank went to my head… I only reconnected with her a few days after I became human, complete coincidence I think."

"Is anything coincidental?" Amai asked.

Snek shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know anymore. I just hope that maybe… she will still be around after I turn back."