"You can't do this! You can't leave me here!"

"I can do this all night, and you can hang there…all night."

"What if the pole snaps?!"

"The ground will break your fall."

"You fucking psycho!" The crook yelled as he was wired to a pole above moving traffic. He glared up at Kitsune who sat on the ledge calmly, swinging his legs as he gazed at the man. "Joe the undertaker'll Ice me if I say a word!"

"And you'll be road kill if you don't tell me what I want to know."

"You're bluffing!"

"Am I, Billy? Am I?"

"Okay! Okay! Okay! Just get me down from here!"

"Talk first and I'll think about it."

Once Kitsune got his answers he had Billy hanging upside down from a street light for the Cops to find before he took off to finish his patrol for the night. It's nearly been a year since he started this gig, bringing fear and retribution to New York City's wild side. And soon enough, he'll take down the Undertaker's smack scam when the goods are delivered tomorrow. For now, he was going to call it a night.

"GuuNgh! Nggghh!"

Or not.

Kitsune took note of the man who stumbled out of the store and he watched him for a few moments, wondering what his deal was. He didn't see or smell any blood but he did smell…mushrooms? He hated mushrooms. His eyes widened slightly when he saw the man turn around and he had mushrooms sprouting from his mouth and out his nose, and soon enough all over his face and his chest. He then fell back dead.

"Whoa." Kitsune breathed as he then hopped down to do some inspecting. He didn't have to find a pulse to know the man was dead from suffocation. But this had to be one of the strangest ways of suffocation he's seen. He then glanced around before his eyes caught sight of a few people who were standing on the bridge above him. "There."

From above the perps had already began running upon seeing Kitsune, knowing he was infamous for his unnatural speed. "Shit shit shit! It's Kitsune! What do we do Gaia?" one of the perps asked as he ran then looked to see that the woman he considered his boss wasn't moving. In fact she simply seemed enamored with Kitsune who was already walking towards her, studying her. "Gaia!" he called urgently as he and the others watched the two.

Kitsune stopped in his tracks as he studied the beautiful woman who studied him as well with a small smile on her lips…well it was more like a smirk than anything. She was beautiful, really really beautiful, looking to be in her mid twenties. She had straight strawberry blond hair, with vibrant green eyes that were focused on him. Her lips were full and supple with a light appliance of lipgloss. She had little to no make up on, and she had a beauty mark on the left side just above her lip. She was currently wearing a dark red leather jacket with a white half shirt underneath showing her flat toned stomach. She also wore black leather pants with fashionable black flat heel boots. "This is the part where you usually run…"

"Run? Oh I don't run," the woman chuckled shaking her head. "And not from such handsome men such as yourself," she winked with Kitsune raising a brow under his mask. "I mean sure you wear a mask but I can just tell. So dark and mysterious! So athletic and muscular, and lithe and graceful. There is no doubt you're handsome under the mask. The perfect man."

"I'm flattered," Kitsune said a bit dryly before he raised the mushroom that was in his hand. "That man down there died by these mushrooms, you know anything about that?" he questioned with Gaia humming giving a shrug.

"Maybe he had an allergic reaction."

"Funny."

"I try," Gaia giggled with Kitsune getting a dangerous vibe from her. "Maybe you're allergic too, no?" she raised a brow with Kitsune looking confused until he felt something move and pain throb in his hand. He then looked down at his hand which was holding the mushroom and saw that fungus was growing around his hand and growing up his arm. Quickly Kitsune threw the mushroom out his hand and got rid of his glove that was now infected. "Oh how rude…" Gaia pouted as she caught the mushroom and gave it a soft kiss. Then she threw it up into the air and Kitsune watched with narrowed eyes. They widened as he saw the mushroom grow in numbers…rapidly. "Look! A Mushroom cloud!" Gaia laughed as suddenly raining down the night sky was a hail of mushrooms.

Kitsune winced as he felt pain from the mushrooms pelting him as if they were rocks and he looked to see passerby's who were enjoying their dinner not to far away were becoming victims to the mushroom storm as well. They began screaming and running away, and Kitsune scowled as he looked the sky. Sliding to the center where the killer mushrooms were falling, he made two hand signs which a fleeing Gaia took notice of. Her eyes widened when Kitsune blew out a ball of fire that completely incinerated her mushroom storm. As she fled Gaia hummed to herself, "How interesting."

Kitsune looked to where Gaia had just been and scowled underneath his mask. She was gone, and there was no trace of her. He then looked towards the victims and saw that some were gravely injured from the hail of rock hard mushrooms. There wasn't much he could do for them, but he did hear sirens down the street and knew the ambulance was coming. Kitsune frowned in thought as he picked up a mushroom, collecting it as evidence before he walked into the shadows.

Vanishing without a trace.


"…ain't that I'm prejudiced against loonies,"

Ronny sipped on his can as he sat a table with George who sat in his chair pouting a bit with his arms crossed. The two currently hiding out at the abandoned Plant factory with their boss. "I've worked for all kinds of crazies you know?"

"So whats your point Georgie?" Ronny questioned his friend with a raised brow. "Gaia pays well, and her plan worked right?"

"We could've pulled that job ourselves and kept everything!" George huffed as he shook his head. "I guess it's cuz she's a woman. That's what I don't like. Don't feel right taking orders from a babe," George grumbled.

"What a caveman mentality," the two heard and were on alert as they saw Gaia walk out wearing the gold jewelry they stole just last night. The two men couldn't help admire the woman's beauty as she wore a few bracelets, rings, necklaces and earrings. "So what do you think?" she questioned as she did a small spin and flaunted the jewelry.

"You look gorgeous!"

"Stunning!"

"Hm? Kiss ups. Do you think Kitsune will like it?" she wondered as she studied her nails in thought and George gave a snort as he leaned back a bit. "Something funny Georgie?"

"What you worried about that creep for?" George wondered as he gave her a charming smile. "Any man would go for you! You look like a million dollars," he winked. Gaia simply gazed at him before she socked him straight in the face, making him fall out of his chair. "Ow! What the fuck was that for?"

"This stupid shit is worth twice than that!" Gaia scowled at him. "Besides, you deserved to be punched. That was such a man response," she then turned around and kicked open the door to her garden and slammed it behind her. George got back up as he rubbed his face.

"See? A two-tone drop-dead loonie!" George grumbled, she hit hella hard. "We'd be doing her a favor if we took them jewels and sent her back to Forks before she ends up in fucking Rykers and us in jail!" Ronny only sighed as he sipped his drink, as he glanced towards the door Gaia went through.

"Men…" Gaia grumbled as she took off the jewels on her body. They felt cheap and tandry against her skin, cold and alien dead crystal. "Damn them all!" she spat throwing the gaudy items away from her. She couldn't help but think of her distant father, and the first man she fell in love with. She walked up to her beautiful roses and felt comfort from them. "I don't know why I bother with them. They're all the same, arrogant, greedy, deceitful sons of bitches," Gaia scowled. "Although…maybe that Kitsune is different?"

She then smiled softly as she caressed her white roses. "What do you think my love? Is he really different from all the others? Under that thrilling mask, is he just more of the same?" she whispered closing her eyes. "I wonder." Then her attention was given to the sound of the door opening and she glared lowly to herself. "The sign says keep out."

"Ahh, well…this is kind of embarrassing, but we figure it's for your own good," She heard Ronny say and she looked to them curiously with a dry expression. George then stepped up to her and he pointed at her.

"We're taking the jewels! You can keep enough to get back to Washington or wherever. New York ain't for chicks like you…" George said as he pulled out his gun, pointing at her. Gaia hummed as she glanced to Ronny who was picking up the broken jewels she threw to the ground. "Lets go Ronny…"

"Yeah…but where's the door?" Ronny questioned as he turned to see that the door was gone, covered up by plants. The two then realized that Gaia was gazing at them with a small smirk, but what was strange was her eyes were glowing green.

"I don't take betrayal very well boys…" the two had wide eyes when they saw the roses that were behind her began to grow into some kind of rose monster as it snarled at them. Rosalie's glowing green eyes shone a bit brighter as a deadly smile came upon her lips.

"Just ask my ex-boyfriends…"


"You're reading up on plants now?"

Naruto blinked as he looked away from his book to see someone he didn't expect to see so soon. "Felicia," Naruto called softly before he stood up and she giggled, giving him a hug which he happily returned. The two held each other for a few long moments before he pulled away a bit and smiled a bit at her, "What are you doing here?"

"Well I was bored, in the neighborhood, decided to swing by since I haven't talked to you in almost a week or so," Felicia raised a brow with Naruto scratching his cheek sheepishly. "Have you been avoiding me Whiskers? Our date wasn't that bad was it?" she questioned with a playful pout and Naruto rapidly shook his head.

"No! Of course not! It was amazing!"

"Then how come you haven't asked me on another one?" Felicia wondered with half lidded eyes and a sultry smirk as she stepped towards him, looking up at him. Naruto couldn't form any words as she smirked a bit, "What's wrong foxy? Cat got your tongue?" she grinned with Naruto clearing his throat.

"I uh, I've been busy. You know, tests and stuff…"

Felicia eyed him up and down before she shook her head, "I don't buy it. But suit yourself then, keep your secrets." Felicia shrugged as she then crossed her arms under bust. "But we're going out."

"We are?"

"Yup. Tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Uh-hunh. I was invited to Councilman Danzig's charity dinner, and I need a date." Naruto bit his lip in thought but he gave a slow nod while Felicia's grin only grew. "Great! Be at my room at six and wear something…elegant," She winked kissing his cheek. Naruto groaned a bit as she giggled.

"But Licia! I don't like suits!"

"Hmm, too bad Foxy. See ya!" Felicia blew him a kiss before she headed out the store with Naruto sighing as he sat back down with a grumble. He really didn't like wearing suits, they were so uncomfortable. But if it was required to go on a date with Felicia…then he would do so. Grabbing the book he had been reading prior to Felicia stopping in to see him, his eyes focused on the pages.

Now he was reading about a certain fungus.


"If you're a good boy maybe we can go to the nightclub later…"

"I'm not much of a dancer, but if you want sure," Naruto shrugged as he walked into the building with Felicia on his arm. The two of them were looking quite stunning with Naruto in a fitting slim black suit with an orange bow-tie. His hair wasn't it's usual golden mess, as it was actually slicked back a bit giving him more of a smooth handsome look than his usual rugged handsome look.

Felicia looked even more beautiful than she usually did as she wore a red backless sleeveless silk dress that showed a moderate amount of cleavage but not too much, and it did excellent work on her curves. Her wavy platinum blond hair was now straight with a single braid lying on her shoulder. Around her neck was also a beautiful gold necklace and she wore rather decent size diamond earrings as well as a gold bracelet.

The two approached the door, walking in and Naruto recognized a familiar face. "Captain Stacy," Naruto greeted warmly and Stacy looked upon him and smiled as well, the two shaking hands. "Not often I see you at a social event."

"I can say the same for you Uzumaki," Stacy chuckled. "I'm not attending in a private capacity. I'm in charge of security. In fact, I am security," he grumbled with Naruto giving an understanding nod. "And who is your beautiful date?" George wondered as he looked over Felicia who held out her hand.

"Felicia Hardy, and actually, he's my date," Felicia smirked as Stacy raised a brow while shaking Felicia's hand. He gave Naruto a glance, seeing the somewhat dry look on the younger man's face. "It is a pleasure meeting you Captain Stacy. How do you and Naruto know each other so well? He isn't that much of a trouble maker is he?" she asked with a raised brow and a teasing smile, glancing to Naruto who scratched the back of his head.

"Oh he's a troublemaker alright," The Captain laughed, but then shook his head. "He and my daughter have actually been friends for a few years now. So he and I have gotten real acquainted," he smirked a bit while Naruto gave a soft sheepish chuckle. "But it was a pleasure meeting you as well Miss Hardy. Please, enjoy the dinner," he bowed his head to them. Naruto and Felicia gave him departing nods as they walked in further into the room where they saw all the older rich people.

"Ah Felicia, you made it darling!" they heard and saw Councilman Danzig approach them with a woman beside him. The two first eyed the larger older man, then the obviously younger woman who didn't looked to be much older than them. Naruto gave a small studying look over the woman, as she looked very familiar but he couldn't tell if he knew her. She was currently wearing a black head wrap paired with a dark forest green wide leg sleeveless jump suit. "I see you brought a date with you,"

"Yes," Felicia nodded her head with a smile, as she continued to have her arm wrapped around Naruto's. "This is Naruto Uzumaki," she introduced him. "Naruto, councilman Danzig," Felicia introduced the two who shook hands. "And who is this you have with you?" Felicia wondered looking to the woman beside the councilman.

"Oh this is my companion…"

"Rosalie Hale," the woman smiled introduced herself as she held out her hand to Felicia who shook it.

"Felicia Hardy," Felicia returned and Rosalie smiled before she looked to Naruto and shook his hand as well, while he continued to study her a bit. "So Miss Hale, what brings you in the company of our reprobate councilman?" Felicia wondered with Rosalie giving a small smile.

"Opportunity," she expressed. "I'm a Botonist. Thought I might find a lucrative…research position here in New York. For now however, I'm filling in time working for an escort agency." Rosalie expressed with Naruto humming quietly to himself while Felicia gained a thought, but thought better of it. This woman was admittedly beautiful, no reason to create even more competition. Grabbing Naruto's arm and holding his hand, which both Rosalie and Naruto noticed Felicia gave a charming smile.

"Well Miss Hale it was a pleasure meeting you. Maybe later we can share a drink once you find time away from the Councilman here," she teasingly joked, but not really. Rosalie seemed to understand and she chuckled getting her fellow beautiful female's meaning and she nodded her head. Naruto and Danzig seemed slightly confused, well not really with Naruto.

"I would actually like that Miss Hardy."

"Great. C'mon Naruto, lets go see if we can find a seat," Felicia urged as the two walked off with Naruto nodding his head to the two. Once they were away, Felicia gave a soft sigh, "Well that was something. What do you think of her?"

"I feel like I've met her before," Naruto admitted honestly with a frown. "But with someone as beautiful as her, I think it would be hard not to remember," Naruto grumbled with Felicia smirking a bit as she found them a seat.

"So you think she is beautiful?"

"I mean she has to be if someone as old as Danzig is interested in someone so young," Naruto shrugged with Felicia chuckling. "I'm assuming you were supposed to be in her place then?" he figured with Felicia giving a slight nod.

"He definitely tried. But I like my men not older than me by more than three years," she chuckled as she grabbed a glass of champagne for the two of them. She offered it to him and he took it just as there was news that a toast was going to be made to councilman Danzig. The two sat down close beside each other and Danzig got everyone's attention. "I hope this doesn't take long…"

"Hopefully."

"My speech won't take long…" both couldn't help but give an grumbling sigh. As Danzig spoke, Naruto took notice that Rosalie was leaving, making him frown in thought. He did know her, it clicked now. She was really beautiful, and a botanist? She had to be that Gaia woman he met the other night. "Um, I…um…what in the name…?" Danzig questioned and Naruto focused to see that Danzig was sprouting mushrooms on his hand, then he looked to Felicia who looked confused as she too was spouting mushrooms over her arms and chest.

"Felicia?!"

"What the hell is going on?!"

"Aaah!"

"Aaaghh!"

"Help!"

He realized that everyone was sprouting mushrooms, everyone but him. He then noticed a common theme. Everyone including Felicia had drank the wine, yet he hadn't touched his…not in the mood for drinking. Naruto then looked towards the entrance to see Rosalie return, no longer wearing her head wrap, letting her full strawberry blond hair fall against her shoulders while several men with guns followed behind her, dragging Captain Stacy inside. "Naruto…I don't' feel so good," he heard Felicia breathe out and Naruto scowled as he grabbed her and he quickly tried to find an exit but before he could, one of the henchmen blocked his path.

"Where do you think you're going huh?"

"Move."

"You must have a death wish pal! I'm the guy with the-Ungh!" The man grunted as Naruto headbutt him, breaking his nose and making him fall back. Naruto continued to move on but more guns were placed on him and Felicia causing him to stand still. "You motherfucker! You broke my nose!" The goon whined as he held his broken nose and before he could shoot him, Rosalie spoke up.

"Hold your fire fool," Rosalie barked out as she approached Naruto and Felicia. "Not bad Whiskers, not bad," Rosalie smiled. "You obviously didn't drink any of my champagne, not a drinking man?"

"The cure…where is it?"

"Ooh straight to the point, I like you," Rosalie grinned as she dragged her finger under Naruto's chin. "You got yourself a brave one Fee-fee," Rosalie teased Felicia who glared hard at the woman at the nickname. If she wasn't feeling like crap, she'd punch the shit out of her. "Listen up!" Rosalie barked out as she pulled a vial from her bra. "You have been infected by a fungal poison I perfected! Usually, it's fatal. But fortunately, you have the mild form of the disease. Easily cured by the liquid in this bottle!"

Naruto listened despite fighting every urge he had to snatch the bottle from Rosalie. From what he saw, she has the power to manipulate plant life. And he didn't know the extent of her powers. If she wanted she could kill everybody in the room by ordering her plants to suffocate them or give them a horrible death. He couldn't risk that right now, no matter how quick he is. "The quicker you give my men all your cash, checks, credit cards and jewelry, the quicker I will give you the antidote."

Snapping her fingers, Rosalie had her men pull out bags and start going around for people to hand over everything Rosalie requested. The goons then came to Naruto and bashed him in the back making him drop Felicia as he hit his knees and they took her jewelry away from her while he glared up at them and Rosalie smirked as she had the men continue to beat down on Naruto while Felicia could only watch helpless with tearful eyes. "Alright that's enough," Rosalie called off her boys as they held up the bruised Naruto who didn't flinch from the pain inflicted on him.

"Oouu, a real tough guy aren't you?" Rosalie smiled brightly as she bent over to look him in his eyes. "I really do commend you Mister Uzumaki, defending your girl and not once crying out from pain. You don't find many too men like you out in the world. And such uniqueness should be rewarded," Rosalie pushed her hair back a bit. "And you are quite handsome, so please enjoy…" Rosalie grinned as she laid her lips upon Naruto's catching him a bit off guard and she deepened the kiss, her tongue grazing against his. Rosalie moaned a bit into the kiss while Felicia looked absolutely furious.

"You bitch!"

Her mouth quivers against his, like a leaf in a breeze. Her green eyes sparkle and glow inhuman like. His heart pounds almost painfully and his back arcs as green fire races through his veins. His blood sings of waterfalls. Sunrise in springtime of the cool green that lives for no reason other than love of life itself. This one kiss tells Naruto more about Rosalie Hale than she could imagine. Moments later she pulls away with a dazed look, and he too looks dazed and she giggles a bit, shivering a bit.

"Amazing, never have I felt something so…mmnnnh," Rosalie moaned a bit as she grabbed her face a bit in thought. "You're a wonderful kisser Mister Uzumaki, too bad you'll be dead within the hour unless you find the antidote," Rosalie sighed softly then tossed the vial to Danzig. "There's your antidote but one last thing. I intend to release the full strength version of this disease into New York's air. The only thing that will call that off is ten million dollars. You have until the weekend," she smirked before turning around and leaving with her goons following after her. She then winked to a angry yet weakened Felicia, walking out the door.

"Chow!"


"What a mess…"

"Hn."

Naruto glanced to Felicia who sat in the passenger seat with an unhappy glare on her face, her arms crossed under her bust. He had parked in front of her hotel, and put the car in park. "Felicia," he called but she didn't respond. He then ran a hand through his hair, messing it up a bit so it wasn't slicked back anymore. "You haven't said anything since we left. Say something, please?"

"I'm going to kill the bitch."

"Not what I was expecting but is better than nothing," Naruto joked a bit but she wasn't laughing. "C'mon Licia…"

"Naruto this isn't okay!" Felicia snapped turning to him angrily and he shut up. "The bitch ruined our date! She holds the place hostage! She poisons me, beats the crap out of you, steal my shit, kisses you, poisons you and just leaves! This is not fucking okay!" Felicia yelled but he didn't flinch.

"But I feel fine…"

"And what if you aren't?! Hm?!" Felicia demanded as she growled and grabbed her things. "I can't…" Felicia shook her head. "I'm going to go find that cunt and get the antidote! I refuse to let you die on me."

"Felicia seriously I'm fine…"

"I DON'T KNOW THAT!"

Naruto didn't respond verbally, instead he just grabbed her and kissed her. Felicia was frozen in shock as her mind was registering she was kissing Naruto, rather passionately. The two kissed each other for several long minutes, simply getting a good taste of each other before he pulled away, caressing her cheek. "I'm pretty sure if I was poisoned, it would be contagious," Naruto whispered with Felicia looking at him dumbly. "If it was, I wouldn't have shared it with you, because I would be too terrified of the thought of risking your safety," Naruto explained as he kissed her a few more moments longer. "I'm fine…"

Felicia was speechless as she simply grabbed him and pulled him in for another kiss, this time with a bit more force and desire within the kiss. She greedily kissed him while her hands caressed his face. Moments passed and the two finally separated with Felicia releasing a cool breath. "That was amazing…" she whispered with Naruto giving a light chuckle. "I've been waiting to do that…" Naruto hummed as she caressed his whiskers. "You don't feel sick or anything?" she checked, worry in her eyes.

"I'm fine, I promise."

"I'm still going to kill the bitch…"

"No you're not. You're going to unbuckle your seat belt, you're going to wait for me to open the door for you, and you're going to let me walk you to your room," he told her without any room for nonsense and she pouted a bit. Then she raised a brow.

"Are you going to come in?"

"Do you want me too?"

"Maybe…"

"Then we'll cross that bridge when we get there." Naruto smirked as he kissed her lips once more then got out of the car. Felicia released a small sigh as she unbuckled her seat belt, waiting for Naruto to open the door for her. He eventually did and he helped her out the car. The two then began to head into the hotel and up the elevator, closer to each other returning than they were leaving. Felicia couldn't help but hold him close as she walked beside him. The fear of losing him to some poison really having her shook. Soon enough they reached her room and she unlocked the door. Turning she then gave him a smile before grabbing his shirt…

…and pulling him inside…

…the door closing softly behind him with the DO NOT DISTURB sign.