3. Kraven
Russia, 1917
They moved in the dark of night, following a path unnoticeable to the common stranger. At least, that is what he hoped. No one knew these woods like him, even his own family. It would be hard for the revolutionaries to follow while the rest vandalized and torched his family home. Unless, of course, they were waiting for them already.
Nikolai Kravinoff did his absolute best to hold his family together. One child was already taken by the war, his body was brought home not long ago. Burying his eldest was something he never wanted to do, what no father ever wanted to do. But like many in his bloodline before him, he grit his teeth and endured. He put his son to rest as Russia was in the middle of an uprising. It was clear they would not survive, should they stay in their homeland.
He was prideful, not stupid.
"Hurry Stasya, we must move now." He pulled his young daughter along, her hand in his.
He wished they had left sooner, allowed his daughter to take in their homeland one last time. There was no guarantee they would, or could ever return. Thankfully his daughter was young. His wife, on the other hand, was not handling reality very well.
"How do we know we have to leave? What if the royal family survives? The government-"
She was interrupted by a man jumping from the bushes. Dressed like a soldier, the man was scruffy and wild, as he came at the family with a knife.
BANG*
A new hole was formed, where his right eye was, for his trouble.
"Animal." re-holstering his revolver, Nikolai grabbed his wife's shoulders. "Don't you see Anna? They want to kill us, all of us, or god forbid-" He paused, wiping away the image his mind brought up of angry lustful men, high on adrenaline and murder. He regained himself with a resolution. "They will have to kill me before I let that happen."
They arrived at a derelict barn, two figures coming out to greet them. Alexei, a loyal servant, met them. Beside him was his own son, Whom Stasya had grown up with her whole life.
Stasya hugged the slightly taller boy, as the two men grasped arms.
"Alexei, did only you and Sasha make it?" He asked the man he had known for most of his life. They were of different castes, but they served together, fought together, laughed and bled together. Brothers in all but blood.
Alexei nodded grimly. "Yes sir, everyone else fought off the traitors, bought us time..." Nikolai rested a heavy hand on his friend's shoulder.
"We will mourn them, brother, once we are safe. Let us meet up with Gregor." Barely out of earshot, he heard Sasha comfort his daughter.
"We will take our homeland back, we'll rebuild." He was saying.
Hopefully in their lifetime at least.
Nikolai and Alexei entered the derelict barn for a short time. They exited with a pair of strong looking horses, already loaded with supplies, not too much. Speed was of the essence.
"Alexei, take the children, I do not trust my wife's mental state at the moment. If we falter, continue without us." Alexei nodded at the request.
The horses charged speedily along the road. Stasya had her arms around the older boy, who had his arms around his father. Her cheek pressed against Sasha's back, as her eyes watched their former home burn.
The manor was consumed by flames, as black smoke bled into the night sky.
New York, 2017
It was almost exactly noon when the airplane landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. They made good time from South Africa, considering the "hyenas" that stalked the airport, and not the fun kind. The flight itself was smooth, narrowly dodging the oncoming stormcloud by five minutes.
Newcomers might be frightened at the horde waiting outside the luggage station. Over the shoulder cameras were fixed on the entryway, and reporters fiddled with their mics to assure working quality, as they awaited. A nearby mother rocked her infant gently, quietly praying whatever the reporters were waiting for didn't upset her child.
It started with some jumpsuit clad workers moving a large container. One that while covered, was clearly her kill, a large apex predator, most likely. The container was escorted by a single pair of security guards, meant to prevent any attempt at vandalism. They were followed by another pair of workers a little ways back, which was followed by another pair and then-
Finally, she stepped out. Thick black hair was tied into a wild ponytail, leaving her face clear and focused. A pair of dark sunglasses hid her calm, lidded gaze, and the formal suit and pants combo she wore did not hide her feminine figure.The fur coat she wore was specially made for her. Only found in Russia, because she hunted the bear herself. At exactly six feet tall, she gave off the authority of a commander, or more fittingly, an Alpha.
All of the reporters and camera crew dropped all current actions to approach the statuesque woman. She was surrounded by security detail, who kept respectful distance from her, but mostly worked to keep the news outlets at bay. It didn't stop them from trying.
"Miss Kravinoff, can you comment on the allegations that you are harming endangered species?"
She only smiled.
"-Kravinoff, would you make a statement on the claims regarding your reservation-" The reporter was shoved aside by a thin, manic looking man with wild hair. Who began to speak over everyone:
"What is the name of the devil you made a deal with? Confess that you made a deal with the Devil for your hunting prowe-" The manic looking "interviewer" was tackled mid rant by a security guard before he could get within touching range of Kravinoff. The other reporters continued, unfazed and indifferent to the man being cuffed. Kravinoff simply smiled, or smirked, depending on who you asked.
They were close to the airport exit, a herd of fans could be seen on the right side going out, waiting for Kravinoff. She was going out the left.
"Kravinoff, after such a lengthy hunt in South Africa, it was believed you would return to Russia. Is it true that you are here for a hunt? Specifically-" The man was shoved away by security, another took his place. No question fazed her as she approached her Limo, awaiting outside and ready. That is, until someone had asked the right question.
"Are you really here to hunt The Spider-Man?"
Kraven paused, her limo door open and ready for her to leave. The pause was enough for a single fan to look in the right direction, who in turn, brought every other fan's attention. She turned slowly, facing the camera, as the crowd of fans made contact with the press.
She gave a wide smile.
"Parker! Parker get in here!"
Peter snapped out of his daze, as he watched the infamous celebrity arrive in America on the small screen in the corner of the offices. Jameson called for him as she was surrounded by fans pushing away paparazzi. The huntress began signing autographs while he entered Jonah's office. He was thankful that the Bugle was upgraded to at least have modern televisions for the employees. Although Jameson seemed irritated by the distractions it apparently caused.
He assumed Jameson was watching too, however, as he probably wanted Peter to take pictures. Hey, it would be a reprieve from all the selfies, right?
"You asked for me, Mr. Jameson?"
He was expecting an: "Of course I did!"
Instead, Jameson bit right into the heart of the matter. "I need you to interview Kraven the Huntress"
That wasn't what he was expecting, actually it was the last thing he was expecting. He was expecting Jonah to be joking, like he sometimes does... once in a long while.
"Mr. Jameson-" Peter started, but the older man simply shook his head, smacking his desk with his rolled up newspaper. A common habit when he was stressed.
"Look Parker, I know that isn't your thing. but we are shit out of luck. This arrival was a surprise, and Paul is ill, of all the goddamn times..." He shook his head, refocusing on the matter. "Listen, Kraven the Huntress is a worldwide celebrity, and don't tell me you've never heard of the woman that wrestles lions?"
"Well yes."
"Then you know how hard it is to snatch an interview, she has property in New York that she rarely visits openly. Look, you are going to get a decent boost to the usual pay, and if this lands well, it will only be better for you."
Now, better pay sounds good, really good. However, that did not mean he suddenly knew the first thing about interviews. And what would happen if it landed bad?
"What makes you think she'll agree to see me? I'm not even a legitimate reporter."
Sure wish Brock hadn't left for San Francisco.
"Because Parker, your freelance, that makes you flexible. More importantly, She called us, for an interview, in her home."
"Oh honey, congratulations on your promotion!" Aunt may was cheerful, which was good to hear. There were too many close calls this year.
Her health was failing her slowly but surely. They had to sell the house, move her into a care center. It was not ideal, but it eased Peter's mind, knowing she was being looked after.
"Thanks Aunt May, but it's not a promotion. Paul will be back once he recovers. I don't even know why Jameson picked me." Peter wasn't mad about interviewing someone, it just wasn't his field. There had to have been better fits.
"That Jameson might not admit it, but you are the only photographer that has managed to get consistent quality, especially with Spider-man. Two different jobs, and he's actually paying you for both."
She came so close to speaking the truth without realizing it. Peter couldn't help but suspect...no it wasn't worth it. She was already in poor health. She didn't need the stress, knowing he was out every other night, at least.
"That's the good part, but what if I-" He was about to say fuck up. " -mess up.
"I have watched Kraven before in interviews, hon. Just don't be rude, make your questions clear, and be respectful if she doesn't want to answer." She always knew what to say. Of course Jameson would probably want him to push buttons, he'd rather be safe than fired, again.
"I just worry, May. This woman has a lot of influence, more than one would expect."
"Then go in with the faith that she won't abuse the power she holds, until she does." May coughed lightly. "Remember what Ben always said."
I always do.
Ignorance was bliss, he wished he could afford it himself.
Peter had walked by this building several times a week for several years. This was the first time he was entering it, as Peter Parker, OR Spider-Man. Even when he was part of New York's premium pizza delivery service, he had never been sent here.
The lobby was similar to many other buildings paid for and lived in by the rich. Overly decorated, fancy looking, and somehow coming off as plain. The scent of honey permeated in the air, but Peter was still able to smell the cleaning products they used this morning.
He checked his bag one more time to make sure he had everything. The list of questions given to him, made by someone else in the Bugle. His camera rested on his chest, held by the lanyard around his neck. He checked to make sure he had a full roll of film, even though he already had done so, before, during, and after his walk. He must have stood out, as Kraven's people came to him.
"Mr. Parker?" A man greeted Peter from his left outside his perception. He turned, facing a dark skinned man, cleanly shaven, not a hair except for his eyebrows. Cleanly dressed in a black suit, what stood out was the light blue eyes of the man.
"We have been expecting you, please, follow me."
The man had a heavy accent, South African if Peter had to guess, but his english was perfect and clear. Peter followed him through double doors, spelled above them in gold letting, was "Exclusive Access".
They entered a much longer hallway, with what Peter assumed, were personal elevators. It was about thirty feet before they reached the elevator at the end of the hall. While each elevator had fine and unnecessary detail, this elevator made them equal to janitor closets.
Intricate detailing formed animals all around it. Wolves on the lower parts of either side, mouths curled, legs lowered to pounce. Above them bears that were partially upright as though they were roaring. Above those bears were branches that a Panther stood upon, as though stalking the other two predators. Finally, the very top and bottom of the elevator seemed designed like a lion head, the teeth right above and below the door. It was as though stepping through the doors was going into the lion's mouth.
Peter felt a shock of nerves going through him as he entered. Not Spider-sense, but instead the old sensation he felt as a young teenager. Before his world changed, when he was a boy. Now he felt them once again.
"Lady Kravinoff is eager for this visit." He was surprised the man spoke with him. In these once in a while occasions, the escorts did not bother with conversation. Peter felt the need to respond. Why not try at least?
"This is her first visit to New York in several years, correct?" He asked, careful not to be interpreted as overly investigative.
"Yes. Lady Kravinoff is sent all around the globe, for a variety of reasons, I am sure you will have much to discuss with her."
The rest of the ride was the longest forty-five seconds of Peters life. During that time, he thought of what he had learned of Kraven. Before arriving, Peter had taken the short time he had for preparation, to watch interviews of the huntress. She had confidence, that was for sure. Many journalists attempted to ridicule or verbally corner her, only to end up leaving in embarrassment. She was known to be dismissive, as interviewers tried again and again to get under her skin. Environmentalists and animal rights activists practically roared at her during TV appearances, but no one could shake her.
Peter had no intention of embarrassing himself, or insulting the well regarded (but still very controversial) huntress. Thankfully their interview was pen and paper, which was relieving, but strange. There was also a voice recorder, for reference. He was told he had permission, but he would probably ask again anyway. The Bugle was one of the last bastions of traditional journalism. Both in technology, and integrity... unless you mention Spider-Man.
The strange part, the part that bothered Peter, was that she requested the Bugle for an interview. There were other, bigger publishers, and Jameson wasn't exactly known as a fan. The publisher more than likely threw her in with Spider-Man's lot, from what he heard from Jameson before. But even the "Triple Jelly Sandwich" wouldn't be so stupid as to say no to an worldwide exclusive. One that practically fell into his lap too.
God help him if she thought he was going to be like them. If he, even by accident, offends her, how bad could this go? Bad enough. To help his calm, as they approached the top floor, he recalled May's words of encouragement.
Don't be rude, keep your questions clear, and be respectful.
The elevator made an elegant ping sound. Peter resigned himself to his fate as he took a deep breath. The doors parted, and he had sudden anxiety that she would be right outside. Instead, he saw an incredible looking entryway, so spacious, Aunt May's old house could have fit inside.
"Please breathe easy Mr. Parker, you have been welcomed to her home with a personal invitation. Please, wait here, I will make sure she is ready for you."
"Thank you Mr.-um"
"Call me Ekon, Mr. Parker."
"Oh, thank you... Ekon."
The man's footsteps were silent as he walked away, leaving Peter alone for the moment. He looked around as he attempted to mentally prepare himself once again. It was hard not to notice how decorated the home was, even though Kravinoff rarely visited, to his understanding
Ekon was back before Peter could feel his anxiety rise. "Please Mr. Parker, follow me." Peter followed him through the hall, and couldn't help but notice all the animal heads on display. Some were from endangered species, others more common. She certainly had an interest in predators.
They entered an elaborate living room, Peter felt the heat immediately as the fireplace seemed to roar. Within was a couch, and two comfy looking chairs, that faced each other. The furniture was covered by pelts, even the floor had the iconic bear rug that many were familiar with. Either through movies or-
"She will be with you momentarily Mr. Parker, please have a seat." The man was only too polite, if that was a thing. Peter wouldn't know, neither would Spider-Man.
"Call me Peter. I get to call you Ekon, it's only fair." Peter was not upper class, he never would be, and wouldn't put himself above another.
The man smiled. "Of course, Peter." He left Peter, once again.
The photographer sat down on the edge of the couch. Initially he tried to be still and ignore the fur pelt dressed over the arm rest. Curiosity gave way, and his hands combed through the fur. It felt soft and inviting.
"Ironic isn't it? How nice a predator's coat feels." Peter turned to the voice.
Kraven the Huntress leaned against the doorway slightly. A short fur jacket adorned her shoulders. Her dress was patterned like a leopard, darkly toned, the pattern seemed to stand out in a certain light. Peter knew the woman's appearance, and had seen her plenty of times on TV. She was beautiful then, but it did no justice to seeing her in person.
Statuesque and fit, her black hair was tied behind her head. The dress hugged against her figure like a second skin. He had no doubts that Mary Jane or Felicia would feel their self confidence dip in her presence. She had an air around her that commanded respect. So stunning she was, that it buried the hurt Peter felt thinking about Mary Jane, or Felicia.
Swallowing his throat, he stood. "Miss Kravinoff, thank you for your invitation. The Bugle is honored-"
"You are welcome, Mr. Parker. Please, call me Kraven." She approached him, her hand raised toward Peter, who grabbed her hand cautiously, politely, but not too slowly. Her grip was gentle, but firm, as he felt the strong muscles under soft skin. She smelled nice, like a forest, natural but not unpleasant. She was taller than him, Six feet to his five feet-ten inches, and that was without her heels.
Thunderclouds could be faintly heard. To hear them now signified a very bad storm. Peter hoped he would be able to return home in time. At the least, that it would pass when he needed to go.
"Of course Kraven, would you like to start with the interview, or pictures?"
"Interview first, please, let us use the chairs."
Peter got up and took a seat, Kraven took the adjacent one. They had some space between them, but far less than Peter expected. It was intimidating for the photographer, if he at least was suited up, he could at least pretend to be confident.
"Let me begin by saying you do not have to answer a question. Please let me know, and we will leave it out." That actually came out pretty good-
"Of course Mr. Parker, don't be shy, I don't bite, much." Kraven said it with a gaze and smile that was, in fact, predatory. Peter quickly moved his eyes to his paper.
"Can you tell us a bit of your family history, your name sounds... Russian?"
"Yes, my great grandfather was an aristocrat, are you familiar with the February Revolution?" Peter nodded. "He fled the country after the royal family was decimated, on nineteen-seventeen. He fled with his wife, daughter, and a handful of servants in tow."
She took a pause, grabbing a bottle. As she poured, her story resumed.
"Eventually, the Kravinoffs rebuilt themselves as animal hunters. People demanded their services all over the world. Great grandfather made a small fortune before his passing. The hunt lived on in my grandmother's blood, who passed it on to my mother, who passed it on to me."
Peter wrote with speed and efficiency, before asking:
"Who trained you to be such a skilled hunter?"
"A man the world knows little about, even I did not know much about him. His name was Gregor, and that was all I knew of him personally. He disappeared on a hunt, long dead now."
He made sure to write down her response. Feeling more confident now, he began the next question.
"Certain organizations claim you are harming endangered species with your hunts, do you agree?"
"No, I kill man eaters, I do not needlessly kill animals that are simply living. There is also a difference between capturing and killing. I make sure to find out if my prey has cubs, if they do, they are brought to a private reserve. I have done far more than those hypocritical agencies, run by those that only use flowery words, have ever done."
He followed her words with writing, every detail exact.
"Some say you loathe the use of weapons, even a bow and arrow, other times you seem to use them?" He asked.
"Often I wrestle with my quarry as a challenge, to prove my dominance. Some prey, such as sharks, require a different approach. I respect my prey, and hunt them fairly."
Peter nodded his confirmation. The next question added an unseen weight to his chest, as he thought of certain friends of his.
"What is your opinion on mutants? Would you be willing to hunt a mutant?" Here we go-
Kraven responded without pause or hesitation.
"Most species have their mutations, no? In spite of what the term implies, mutation is a natural part of nature. The mutant in question would have to be of malevolent nature, or was a danger to society. Until otherwise, why would I bother? Because of something out of their control? Are we all still so petty?"
The answer did not remove the possibility entirely. It was however, far more positive than what Peter had feared. Kraven had no problem speaking her mind, so he knew this would fall in with all her other controversial statements. The few she makes, anyway.
He flipped the page for the next question, and he nearly swore. He instead grimaced, wishing he didn't have to ask this. He looked up, her gaze was on him. He swallowed, biting the bullet.
"How old are you?"
"My my, you shouldn't ask a woman that question." She now had a coy, mischievous look on her face. "So, how young do I look? Mr. Parker?"
Peter flushed red, tongue tied. He did not want to offend, but she quickly tilted her head back in a laugh. She cut herself off, returning her gaze to peter.
"Don't be so nervous Mr. Parker. I have to assume by your expression, that the question was not written by you? Please, do not look so concerned."
She didn't answer the question. Peter refused to push, instead preferring to move on. He knew of the previous matrons of the Kravinoff line during his research. What he did not know, and what was mostly left to rumour, was the rest of her family.
"Do you have family, besides your mother? Relatives? Do they hunt?"
A fond look overcame her, as she seemed to return to a different time in her head. Her eyes gazed over some of her "trophies"hanging on the wall.
"I have children, believe it or not. They can hunt, I trained them to do so." Her smile disappeared. "However, they are young, and do not share the same...passions as I do. They prefer to stay out of the spotlight."
That was a perfectly acceptable answer, especially considering her level of popularity. He nodded before looking at the notebook. His eyes went to the last question, and he gritted his teeth. Why, why did they have to add this question? He wasn't surprised, hearing it asked by reporters on the television earlier.
While the others were optional, this particular question, more specifically a word in the question, was circled by a red marker. It was a typical sign of "You better ask this". Suddenly he felt more nervous than ever, finally asking:
"Are you here to hunt 'The Spider-Man'?" Please say no.
She smiled. Somehow, Peter felt like that wasn't a no.
"Miss Kravinoff, It may be best that Mr. Parker stays, for the time being. The storm approached rather suddenly after his arrival." Ekon Interrupted the interview at the best possible time.
Peter's eyes went straight to the window, and it only took a second to confirm what Ekon had said. How the hell did he miss that? Of course they were in a more private study, but he should have heard. Kraven must have some insane soundproofing. Perhaps it was not so bad? he could maybe get away with a cab drive?
"I couldn't intrude-"
"Nonsense, stay, I insist. Ekon, keep an eye on the storm, and make sure dinner is prepared for two." She gaze was piercing. "Are you vegetarian Mr. Parker?"
Since he was not going anywhere, Peter figured they could still take the photos. She agreed, and told him to just look around the place. According to her, there was something of interest in every room.
One of the first things he took note of was an older picture. It was in black and white, but he still made it out very well. It looked like Kraven, but in a much different outfit than her modern gear. Tight leopard patterned pants, and a distinct lion vest. She seemed to have a leather bra under it, but left the rest of her exposed.
"That was my mother, in nineteen-sixty-four." Lady Kravinoff said, beginning to chuckle. "She would always claim it was the sixties, everybody looked a little funky."
Peter noted the lion vest that was worn. Realizing Kraven was wearing something similar in her own very recent pictures of "Successful Hunts".
"That lion vest, it looks very familiar."
"Passed down from my grandmother to her, and then, to me."
Peter seemed to think thoughtfully, before he asked:
"Is the vest the source of your so-called devil magic?" She laughed.
"No no, the lion vest is a symbol of our prowess, we have to earn it. Prove ourselves in the hunt." She gestured to the tiger she stood proudly beside. "Each lion vest is different from the other, it carries a personal significance. You do not merely wear the vest as fashion, you must defeat the beast, to wear its skin."
Peter nodded, his attention came to another picture, this time a group in a white convertible. A few stood out, among them a blonde man with a shiny red stone on his chest. By the front of the car there was a Kraven look alike, and a blonde woman whose arms were around her.
"Who are these people? Is that a close friend of your mothers?"
"Nineteen-fifty-nine, my mother worked with some mercenaries for...delicate matters. The woman beside my mother, her name was Aquaria. They were...very close. They parted ways, eventually."
"What happened to her?"
"She returned to her homeland, hasn't been seen since." She didn't elaborate.
Peter couldn't help but feel like Kraven was assessing him as he was her. She had kept her gaze on him for the entirety of the interview. One of the predators on display caught his attention. The animal seemed to be a polar bear initially, but the white was off, more waxy. The fur was also too different, more shaggy.
"Believe it or not, it's not a polar bear. Looks very much like one doesn't it?" Kraven appeared beside him, very close. She grazed her hand over its fur. "It is, in fact, a Grizzly, suffering from albinism."
"Sounds like an extremely rare find." Albinism was present across many species, including bears. While rare, they did exist, and he could imagine the flak she would get if they used it in a picture. She removed her hand from the beast.
"Unfortunately, it acquired a taste for the flesh of man. I may have spared it, had a grieving mother not begged me to avenge her son."
"How old was he? Her son?" He asked her.
"Eleven."
Peter was quiet, as the number sank in, looking at the snarling beast in a different light. He understood the feeling of vengeance, of wanting justice. It was not his place to judge, hell, he doesn't even have the full story. One could imagine being that Eleven year old, or being their mother, and watching as...
"I am sorry to hear that."
"Do not be, the bear got to die fighting a fierce battle, and a family could finally grieve in peace." She said solemnly, before suddenly, her expression brightened. "Let us use this for the photo, yes?"
Peter stared wide eyed at the Huntress.
Miss Kravinoff seemed to enjoy stirring controversy. She certainly enjoyed the idea of a challenge.
"I hope you enjoy it. It's gazelle, from Africa, I hunted it myself." She said.
He couldn't deny it was fantastic. She allowed him time to enjoy his dinner. They had a small, unremarkable conversation on the current state of the world. Nothing particular, Peter had his drink refilled once, or twice. He had tolerance, but the wine still worked its magic on him, making him looser where he otherwise wouldn't, or shouldn't be.
"So, what is Spider-Man like?"
And so we got to the real reason, Peter had to assume. It wasn't completely unfair, he got the best pictures, THE pictures of Spider-Man. Everyone else got a blurry red and blue image, He got the man(aka himself) in High definition, with a peace sign or a thumbs up to boot. He liked sending those in when Jameson really grinded his gears.
Everyone wanted Spider-Man, for better or worse. Nobody wanted Peter Parker, for very long.
"He's just like everyone else, trying to make it through his day." He tried to continue, trying to avoid the careless haze threatening to send him head over heels into stupidity.
"Really? The Bugle seems to imply he's a menace. Your boss has been quite vocal himself." A fire lit inside of Peter, who heard the same thing by different people, over and over again.
"Well the Bugle will print anything to save itself from extinction, and Jameson can-" Peter had to stop himself.
Who did he think he was? What gave him the authority to take it out on her? He was here for work, it was lucky that she was so hospitable. Hopefully, he did not ruin her evening.
Strangely, she seemed to think she was the one out of line. Her voice was genuine. "I apologize Mr. Parker, I did not consider how you would feel."
When it came to public opinion, all that the Huntress heard was distaste for the Spider. Hearing the photographer of his most famous critic come to his defense. It grabbed her attention, viciously.
Peter was shocked, but quickly shook his head. He was thrown off by someone actually apologizing, to him of all people. "No, I apologize, I am a guest. I have no right to be rude."
Outwardly the Huntress was calm. But the giant cats of the wild looked calm, serene, until suddenly pouncing for the kill.
"You consider him a friend?" It was a dig for info, but nothing the average co-worker had asked him now and then. He had a ready, but honest answer.
"He is in my life a lot. Sometimes more than I like, but he is a necessity."
"Is he? New York got along fine before him, what will they do after him?"
It was a fair point. Of course, there were a lot of things that seemingly didn't exist before Spider-Man. Maybe his alter ego was just a sign of the times. New York would adapt, they had to. Worse comes to worse another hero takes his place.
"I... I don't know, but things have escalated a lot more in the last ten-twenty years than the last hundred. Especially with mutants, the Pro and Anti-Mutant factions have been escalating. First picket signs then Churches loaded with guns. Some mutants... return what was given in kind."
Kraven seemed to hum in agreement. "In the past, we called them witches. Now, we call them mutants, what will we call them in the future?"
"Would you mind sharing a drink with me, sir?" She had come back to the living room with a bottle in tow. They had moved here after dinner, to relax a little. The storm raged outside, and Ekon had yet to come back with an update. Dark red liquid filled it to the top, he wondered if the bottle had never been opened, and if so, for how long?
"I-I don't know if it's appropriate-" And he was not sure if he should have more. Was he drunk? Not really, but he could tell he was letting things slip that shouldn't. Feelings that he long repressed regarding his alter ego.
"Please Mr. Parker, the professional part of the day is done, let me treat you." The day was done, flashes of lightning were all that lit the city outside. No sun or moon were in sight.
Peter nodded in acceptance, and she took a seat close to him. She poured a glass for them both. A scent rose to Peter's face, it was definitely stronger than dinner's thirst quencher.
"To be honest Mr. Parker-actually, could we do away with that? May I call you Peter?"
"Of course." He had told Ekon he could, and shared less words with the man in the day than he and Kraven had the past hour.
"Peter, I find you a fascinating subject, actually. The man who takes photos of Spider-Man."
The praise made him fluster. "I-I'm nothing special."
"Really? I hear it's infamously hard to get a good photo, and yours are impressive. Consistently so."
"Well, yes, but only because he lets me."
"You must be a good friend to him." Her comment made him feel good, before he remembered his own ruse, and self doubt slithered in.
"If I was such a good friend, I would stop giving my pictures to the Bugle." He hadn't meant to voice it out loud. He was worried that he had slipped up momentarily. Instead she gave him a warm look.
"Then Spider-Man must be a good friend, to let you take them anyway."
While everyone was open to either praising or criticising his alter ego in front of him. Not many actually asked him what HE thought of the hero he took pictures of. Kraven was the first in a couple of years.
"He is not a perfect man, or anything, but he tries."
"No one is, but some of us can still be amazing. Take yourself for instance."
What? Peter Parker isn't amazing. Spider-Man is.
"No, I am average, there isn't anything special about me."
At least, if you took away the spider from the man. Plenty of people were smart, they could still be dumb in other places. If he hadn't been bitten in a freak accident, his life could have been very different. What was interesting about him, he couldn't tell anyone. Kraven seemed to immediately disagree.
"I wouldn't say that." She got up from her seat, taking a spot closer to him. "May I?" He nodded, although unsure. Kraven then pressed her hand into his chest, feeling his pectoral muscles underneath. He felt his face heat up at her touch. "So much stronger than you look."
He was so thankful he left the suit at home today.
"Miss Kravinoff, may I speak with you for a moment." Ekon saved him. She got up, promising to return. Peter took a moment to breathe.
Don't get it twisted, she is Russian...South African? It doesn't matter, it is probably a cultural thing. Don't forget, she has some intent regarding Spider-Man, she has to.
Kraven returned.
"The storm has escalated Peter, it seems it will rage well into early morning. Perhaps you will spend the night?"
It was a short time later that Peter found himself in a guest bedroom. You would be forgiven to think otherwise, from the expensive sheets to the lion head above the headboard. He had washed up and settled in borrowed clothes. As he partially entered the bed, he heard a knock, and gave his okay to enter.
Miss Kravinoff entered his room. By god, she was beautiful. So beautiful it distracted him. Her hair was down, framing her elegant features without hiding anything but her ears. He only saw, once she sat beside him, that she was in a robe, only a robe. It clung to her body nicely, and he felt the stirrings within him.
"I wanted to make sure you were comfortable, I know you weren't expecting to stay."
I am about to be too comfortable.
"I am, and please, you have been too good to me."
She laid a hand on his thigh, and he gripped his sheets, hard. Hopefully she didn't notice, fat chance. Instead of pointing it out, she seemed to be contemplating something. Finally she spoke.
"I plan to serve breakfast, before I spring you free, if that's alright? I would feel terrible as a host otherwise." Her gaze bit into him again.
"Y-yes, I'd love to." She smiled.
"Good, I will let you rest, sweet dreams." Once the door was shut, and she was gone, Peter allowed his mind to shut down.
The huntress left her guest room smiling. And strode down her long hallway to her own room. She walked past many of her trophies obtained throughout the years, some were big game, others were rewards bestowed upon her for her assistance. Reaching a hand up, she glided it across the horn of a near perfect Goat skull, a charm from a Tibetan farmer.
It was only when Kraven reached her private room, and shut her door, that she dropped her own pretenses. Leaning against her door, she let out a heavy sigh.
She knew what she was doing to him. The signs were clear in his body language. Yet, he did not try to touch her inappropriately, although she practically invited it. She was surprised at herself, wondering why now she decided to take an interest in anybody. After so many years, she did not think she would have anyone significant after...
"Peter Parker...I haven't felt like this since..."
Africa, 1937
In her experience, from hunting great game over the last fourteen years, Kraven learned several important lessons. One such lesson, was that the more you learned, made you realize how little you truly know, or still don't know.
"Prints are fresh, so is the smell of blood, follow me." Her father ordered, standing up from the tracks he had looked over.
They moved cautiously through the forest. Her father had tracked the lion here, wherever here was. Two days had passed since they had set off, and early this morning they had arrived in unfamiliar territory.
"Keep your eyes open, We no longer have Gregor covering our backs." Her father stated again, simultaneously opening the subject of Gregor.
"I hope he found what he was looking for." Sasha inquired. The elder Kravinoff scoffed.
"The 'Savage Land ', where dinosaurs still roam, pfft, he was a great hunter, but insane. Probably froze to death."
She frowned at the dismissal, but understood it came out of hurt. It was just the three of them now, Her father, Sasha, and herself. She had to push to come along, more so than she liked. She was skilled, just as they were. Wolves, cheetahs, bears, they were just a few of the prey she had claimed. It was not out of spite, that her father had objected, She knew this.
The lion they were hunting for didn't just kill men. It tore apart another lion pack, alone. The natives said they had never seen such savagery. It wasn't a clean victory, a bloody trail was left, easy to follow. What she questioned, was her father.
Anna Kravinoff, her mother, had a family history of mental illness. She had not handled the change well. She grew depressed and bitter, missing her old life, her homeland. As the fate of her friends reached her, her mental state only decayed further.
Mama had finally passed on several months ago. Father hasn't been the same. Of course, as mother grew senile, he had been spending time with that English woman that was hired to take care of her. She had whispered something to her father, before they left for the hunt, one hand on her stomach. Her lip curled at the thought.
They had already lost Alexei five years ago. During a hunt in South America. Now Gregor had left. To his credit, he told them plainly what he had planned to do. He gave everyone proper goodbyes, and went on his way. They haven't heard from him since.
The quietly fractured group followed the trail by a cliff edge. It seemed to go on past the river.
"Could it be too weak to cross fully? Maybe it was pushed off the waterfall, and fell below." Sasha offered.
Her father seemed deep in thought, suddenly his eyes widened.
Crackle*
The lion, hidden in bushes, lunged out upon him. Her father was able to stab into the beast before firing, but lost his rifle. Sasha's lever action fired round after round. The beast tanked it, knocking Sasha unto his back, his head hitting the ground hard.
She fired at it, gaining its attention. It prepared to lunge at her. Her father jumped upon it as it came close. His bowie knife driving in and out of its neck. He lost it as the lion turned back to him. She grabbed the knife, noting Sasha lay still, a small rock, bloodied, told her why. It was only her. When the lion turned, there was no sign of intelligence, only rage. In a moment, It leaped upon her.
SHUNK*
She jammed the knife under its chin, through its mouth, as they fell down. Together, they disappeared under the riverbed.
New York, 2017
When Peter woke up that morning in a stranger's guest bed, he felt... comfortable. It was a completely alien room, in a building he had never set foot in before, yet, he wasn't feeling out of place. He felt cozy, in fact, and that's what felt so weird about it.
He heard the footsteps, albeit barely, before the knock came.
Thump-thump-thump*
"Peter? May I enter?" It was Ekon.
"Yes, come in." How could he say no? Well, if he was naked, but he wasn't, and besides, Ekon was polite.
The man entered swiftly and quietly, barely making a sound.
"Lady Kraven would like to offer you breakfast before you leave. She wanted me to insist to you that it was no issue."
She had told him so already the night before. It seems she already anticipated that he would forget, or try to refuse out of politeness. He almost had forgotten, more so because his mind was boggled with everything else from the night before.
"I, um, sure?"
"Excellent, I will wait for you outside while you redress."
After Peter dressed, they walked together. When they entered the expansive kitchen that would fit May's house, the Huntress was watching footage of Spider-man on a flat screen. It was the first television that Peter had seen, reminding him that, while strangely traditional, the lady was not a savage. She probably just fought like one, he didn't want to find out. She turned to look at him, and her analytical stare became warm, without losing any of its power.
"Peter, I hope you were able to rest well, would you like some eggs? sausage?"
"Yes, thank you, you truly didn't have to." He took a seat by her. "I see you are watching our native web-slinger."
Kraven weaved her fingers together as she hummed in thought.
"Yes. The Spider... what a unique fighting style. If you watch them in order, you can see his technique evolve. For every enemy he has encountered, he has only risen to the occasion. Fascinating, few could try to imitate the style, let alone master it."
Peter hummed in agreement. "Aside from the enhanced strength and reflexes many superhumans have, you would be hard pressed to find anyone else like him." Which wasn't impossible, and he certainly would run against a doppelganger in the future. What form it would take, that was what he wasn't sure of. Clone? Android? Long lost sibling that only now comes out of hiding for misdirected revenge? When you saw the things he did, nothing could be taken out of the equation. He could still be surprised, which he was at Kraven's next words.
"Peter, would you be against, having lunch with me?"
Peter's hands paused mid cut of a sausage. He looked as though he was questioning his hearing. He looked at the smiling Huntress.
"You want to...with me?"
She laughed softly. "Yes Peter, you. I have yet to truly familiarize myself with the city, and one of its best photographers would make a great guide, no?"
"No- I mean yes, yes. I should get a change of clothes, I mean-" He was stuttering, but he gave a yes. That was all she needed.
"Great. Would you be alright with Central Park?" He nodded. She beamed. "Ekon will get you home, and give you the finer details. Let us meet in a few hours." She got up from her seat. "I look forward to it, Peter."
Peter was driven home in a timely manner. Dropped off at his apartment building, Ekon informed him that he would be in touch. After giving Peter a list of important details, the man left like he was never there.
Peter moved through the apartment complex wordlessly. He entered his apartment, and sat on his worn couch, trying to comprehend...anything. He quickly shuffled to his bathroom, and worked to clean himself for the...outing? hangout? date?
What is her game? I can understand Spider-Man, but why.. why Peter Parker?
Regardless, he would meet her. Ben told him that life sometimes threw fastballs at you. Sometimes they were blessings, other times... not. The best thing to do was to go with the flow. Being scared of living was no life.
Even when he was gone, Ben was helping him out.
He dressed casually for fall. A clean cream colored sweater and fresh jeans, with Ben's brown blazer for luck. He took a moment to pause, looking at his uncle's picture, giving him a smile and a nod before heading out.
Peter wasn't sure what to expect when he saw her later that day at lunch. Kraven's public appearance was often so boldly dressed and obvious, that no one expected to see her dress "casual". She was planning to be discreet, that much was certain. She still floored him, even with subtlety.
She was dressed classically, like a fifties movie starlet in hiding. A headscarf, tails to the back, covered her hair, except for some bangs in the front. Dark sunglasses hid her eyes, sparing people from the hunter's piercing gaze. She wore a fitting coat, made of dark and he had to assume genuine leather. It was something he expected Mary Jane to wear when-
No, enough. Let today be a good day.
Any and every thought of other women were wiped away when her beautiful but sharp smile beamed at him. That feeling of being preyed upon, Peter was starting to like it. It was like a wolf about to pounce, but with licks instead of bites...
He had to stop.
"Peter! I am glad you are here!" She was excited, but she quickly reigned in her passion. "I hope you had no issues?"
"No, not at all" Peter had to say something else, not just leave it at that. "You're beautiful."
Subtle Parker, subtle. He sarcastically berated himself.
It was very successful, however. Behind dark lenses, her eyes widened slightly, before they gleamed. Quickly she wrapped her right arm around his left, as she said. "Thank you, Peter. I am glad you find me appealing, in something so simply...discreet."
They walked among the crowds, blessedly not as over packed as usual. She had wanted to take a stroll through the park. It must have been true, that she only came to New York for business matters. Peter tried to not let the thought that he was showing her something new, swell up his pride. Occasionally, Kraven's eyes were up in the air.
"Do you think we will see the Spider swing by?"
Not when you are holding on to my arm. "We might, he does take some days off, believe it or not. Unless we run into a doppelganger, or some imposter."
He could not pretend to know nothing, especially when he took the damn pictures. Not just your average ones too, wide shots, unbelievable angles. Peter had to be on "Spider-Man's" good side, which meant he had to know some things.
"Hmmm, does he take weekends off?"
"I couldn't say." Nailed it, although I wish I had weekends...
Surprisingly, to him, she dropped the topic of Spider-Man herself. Instead, she asked about him, not about the Spider, just him.
"Did you always like photography?"
"Photography and science, my two loves in school. I went to school for a few years, earned a science degree... or two."
"Oh? Mr. Parker, how many degrees do you have?" And why are you sitting on them to do photography? She thought to herself. Peter reddened, being put on the spot.
"Um, only the two. I lost a mentor of mine, and... things were cut short, starting working at the bugle more."
Miles Warren brought bitter memories to his mind. Gwen's death came at the forefront, a failure that forever burned. After that tragedy, his Professor, gone mad from unrequited love, attempted cloning. Perhaps, on a different earth, he succeeded. On this earth however, he only succeeded in creating mindless dolls, with the lifespan of a few hours.
The authorities arrested him, and Warren was later found dead in his cell, from hanging. After already losing Connors to the lizard serum, Peter couldn't return to University. The knowledge of the previously hidden labs, imitations of the woman he loved laying dead on medical beds. He couldn't go back, couldn't forget.
Kraven must have seen his expression turn grim, and she changed the subject. She found the perfect excuse.
"What is that?" She pointed. Peter followed it to a small food stand, yellow and red fabric shielding the man grilling meat. The smokey smell wafted over to them. Kraven inhaled. "Smells like pork, but what kind of pork?"
"A hot dog stand, you never had one?" She shook her head. Peter's mouth parted open momentarily, his brow furrowing in thought.
Owns property in New York, never has had a hotdog...
"You. Have never had. A New York frank." Voicing each part in absolution. Peter's faux dark expression only made her laugh, as she nodded.
Unacceptable "Let's go."
"Sounds like you have a mission Mr. Parker." She said coyly.
"Damn straight, my honor as a New Yorker is on the line." He responded, undeterred.
They walked over to the stand, the middle aged man greeted them with a smile. Peter bought two for them, before Kraven could even dare pay. She had accommodated him the night before, he wanted to do something for her. It was worth it, as she had the strangest expression on her face, as she took a bite. You could see the gears turning in the great hunter's head.
"It is good, it is not proper meat, but it is good." she said, finally. Peter couldn't help but tease.
"The Huntress, eating a hotdog, what will the press think?"
"I will hunt you, if you dare say a word." She said it seriously, but she smiled at him.
"With your bare hands?" Peter asked, his own smile prominent.
Wait a sec, am I flirting?
They finished their food, and took a walk around before taking a seat at a bench. The lake was in full view. They were close to each other, not enough to be romantic, but... close enough. Close enough that, if a fourth wall breaking mercenary were present, he would be grinding his teeth, yelling at them to kiss already.
YELP!*
They were interrupted by the yelping of a dog. Peter had hoped it was only a pet that got too close to a hostile squirrel. Instead, it was a man, being overly rough with a stray.
New York was always home to strays. The homeless, humans and animals alike, often sheltered under the same bridges. With the escalation of superhero activity, it had only become worse, especially for lost pets. There were help centers, but they needed far more funding, more hands.
Kraven had already moved toward the man without Peter realizing. She grabbed the man's hand as it rose to strike the animal again. She spoke sharply.
"That is not how you treat them. Those animals give their love blindly, their loyalty. Who are you to abuse such a loving creature?"
Dogs have worked with mankind since before they could write. They were among the earliest hunting companions, and proved to be the most loyal. Kraven had used them occasionally. While she preferred her own senses, she respected the hunting dog, and saw no reason to harm man's best friend. This...man, in a different place, she would have him hunted by a pack of hungry dingos.
"Mind your own business bitch. Fuckin let me go!" Her grip was like a snake coiling around the man's arm. He made a whining sound, that seemed to satisfy Kraven.
"You are disgusting. Gutter trash filth of the lowest order, only fit for ants to feed on." Her russian accent bled into her words. Shoving his arm away from her, she turned away from the man, looking in the direction the dog has sped off to . Angry and embarrassed, rage clouded the man's mind as he readied to strike her from behind.
Now, Kraven would have noticed, caught, and bent the man's arm in due fashion. She did not have to.
To her shock, Peter, faster than she would have ever expected, had grabbed the man's wrist with his left hand. His other hand was busy gripping the man's throat, as he choke slammed him into the pavement. Peter had the man flipped over unto his stomach, arm behind his back, before he could even gasp for air.
"Apologize, you goddamned animal." Never had Peter been so aggressive with someone. As Spider-Man, he knocked heads together, but those were criminals. Here, he felt ready to kill someone. A piece of shit, but still a person nonetheless.
The Huntress, on the other hand, was aroused. She hadn't felt such a way in years. Seeing the unassuming man before her, ready to kill like a predator, drove her mad on the inside. In a good way, of course. But right now, it was not the time to bring out the man's killer instinct. Nor was it the place to channel it into a more pleasurable activity, no matter how tempting.
"You can let the man go Peter, he is already where he belongs." Peter stepped away. Before the man got up, Kraven stepped on the man's back. She dug her heel in, making him whine pathetically. "Leave, and pray I don't find you."
The shamed man scurried off. Kraven turned to Peter, placing her hand on his chest sensually. "My hero. I thank you, now, would you mind helping me find that dog?"
Really it was Peter following her as she tracked the animal without issue. As they walked, she asked him: "Do all New Yorkers treat strays like that?"
"Not all, but even one is too many. With the invasions we have fended off, the amount of strays has only increased. The storm probably flooded this stray's home."
They found the dog, made scared and cautious by its recent abuse, and Peter watched as Kraven worked borderline magic to call the stray to her. The timid dog soon warmed up to her touch. Peter called animal rescue, and they came to pick up the animal. Peter saw Kraven whisper something to the worker before he drove off. She returned to his side. "Poor pup, They better take care of him during his stay."
"Hopefully they can locate the owner. They do the best they can, but they need more funding." Peter said. "There are a lot of things New York needs, sadly lost animals are near the bottom."
Kraven seemed to hum in thought. They found themselves on the path again, the man from before nowhere to be seen.
"What an exciting lunch. You did not tell me you could fight." She almost said it accusingly.
"You have to have some fight in you, or this city eats you alive." He responded, and shrugged it off.
"I certainly could." Kraven said. Peter processed her response a bit too late. "Unfortunately, we must part for now. I have business to attend to. But... I would like to see you again, if you were fine with that, Peter."
"Yes." He answered fast, suddenly, without thinking. Did I just agree to... another date? Was this a date?
"Excellent, I will be in communique." She entered the back of her sedan, and it drove out of sight.
Peter sighed, turning on his heel, mind a maelstrom of thoughts and feelings. He felt...happy around Kraven, felt sad when she was gone. Warmth encompassed him when she held his arm. That warmth turned into burning fury as that man dare lay a hand on her. He went beyond disengaging, he was ready to kill-
His phone buzzed with a distinct chime, interrupting his internal conflict. Opening it, Peter groaned with a quick look. A robbery was occurring, he had to go. Maybe it was a good thing, a distraction, something that made sense.
Kraven entered the expensive sedan, Ekon at the helm. As the sedan rolled down the street, he looked at her in the mirror. Noticing her vibrant smile, and the way she looked out the window, he gently pried for info.
"Did you enjoy your outing?"
Kraven's smile widened at his question. It had gone better than she could have hoped. Peter Parker, the photographer had some bite in him, more bite than the small bark he had slipped the previous evening. When Peter slammed that pathetic worm into the ground, Kraven was aroused. This time, he wasn't defending his friend the Spider, or himself, but her.
"Very much, by the way, set an appointment with the mayor at the earliest convenience. There is something that needs addressing, and I can kill two birds with one stone."
Kraven would have taken him in the park then and there, if there weren't so many witnesses. Now, in privacy, thinking about it was driving her mad. She needed to hunt, soon, far too much energy was built up now.
"Of course." Ekon then brought a finger to his ear, trying to make sure he was hearing the radio chatter clearly.
Oh how she wished she could have killed that scumbag, and ravaged the brown eyed man in the bushes. She needed relief, and not in the traditional sense of the word. Kraven was patient, but she needed prey.
"Any sightings of our celebrity native, Spider-Man?" She inquired, as Ekon seemed to have found a solution to her current state.
"No, but you may not have to wait long." Ekon said.
"Oh?"
At that moment, he fluidly connected his earpiece to the car speakers. The chatter was erratic, almost panicked.
"The police chatter just escalated. The Rhino is robbing a bank." he told Lady Kravinoff.
Which means Spider-Man will follow.
"You brought my gear?"
"Yes ma'm." He was always ready.
The seven foot tall man was clad in a grey bodysuit, whose texture was very reminiscent of his namesake. Portions of the armor, particularly the chest, shoulders and knee guards, were thicker, and colored a lighter grey than the rest of the suit. He was arguably far more durable than the average rhino, but just as ferocious when angered. Spider-Man counted on that.
Alexei did not often help low level thugs. More often than not he was hired for intimidation, body guarding, and the like. Robbing banks just put him on the hot list for Spider-Man. Of course, he could be looking for a rematch.
He was currently watching over the hostages, flexing his might, while the thugs casually loaded the armored car they had "borrowed". A security guard was laid out by the wall, having been made an "example" of. A web stuck to the man's chest, gently pulling him to safety before anyone could turn their head to see. A captive noticed, and Spider-Man put his finger to his mask in a hush motion. Giving them quiet signals to be ready, he maneuvered himself away from them. Once ready, he called out to The Rhino for attention.
"Rhino, baby, what's up? Why are you helping these small timers?"
"Puny Spider!" Was all he got before a desk was thrown at him.
Thwip*
He dodged while simultaneously shooting a web at the flying desk as it passed. The web blast landed, sticking it to the wall harmlessly. As he landed, The Rhino started his charge.
Lowering himself into a crouch, he shot another two webs. One hitting the Rhino's face, the other hitting a robber trying to run out the back. The webbing stuck the robbers feet to the floor, stopping him cold. The others crashed into him, all landing in a tumble.
SMASH!*
The Rhino ran straight into the wall, smashing through it with little effort, the webs barely hiding his roar.
"Everybody, run to the exit, now!" He yelled to the hostages, who needed little convincing.
We are too far from an open field, and leading him out here will only cause chaos in the streets. I have to keep him contained here.
The Rhino gave him no more time to think, flinging several large chunks of debris at the hero. He dodged several, before webbing the last one, flinging it back with double the force. The Rhino sent his fist into it, shattering it into dust and even smaller debris. Leaping up, the grey behemoth smashed into the floor, missing the Spider by milliseconds.
SMASH!*
Thwip-Thwip*
Spider-Man took advantage of the Rhino's slow movement, webbing the man's shoulders, and pulling back. As he felt the webs shake, he stopped resisting, Sending him flying, feet together, and first, into Rhino's unsuspecting face. The giant grey mass spun like a dreidel, making a full spin as he crashed into the ground.
Alexei glared one hard eye at the Spider, grunting as he lifted himself up for another go. He was unprepared, and only Spider-sense allowed Spider-Man to react fast enough, as the flashbang rolled under Rhino's legs, before detonating.
BANG!*
Blinded and deafened, the Rhino roared savagely gripping his head.
He was unprepared for the Huntress, who moved with the speed of a cheetah. She pounced upon him, Legs wrapped around his neck. A series of punches rained on Rhino's face, and he lost consciousness before he could process any sort of counter. Falling onto the floor with a mighty fall, the Rhino was laid out, unable to move.
Kraven the huntress turned to face Spider-Man, who was stunned at the sudden intervention. She wore a bodysuit, not unlike Felicia's, but actually zipped all the way, and not nearly as shiny material. Short sleeves and combat gloves replaced the fluffy forearms. The lion head vest, the same one from the photo, was worn over the bodysuit, displaying her identity proudly. She smirked at Spider-Man before removing her knife from its sheath on her chest.
Ah shit-
Kraven rushed at Spider-Man, knife slashing at him. He dodged just out of reach, sending three quick bursts of webbing in her direction. To his amazement, she dodged all of them, strafing to the side before lunging at him. He caught her in a body grapple before throwing her off of him.
She landed on all fours, before coming at him with a vicious sequence of slashes. Spider-Man swayed away from each and everyone, doing a handstand to launch a defensive spin-kick. He succeeded in knocking the knife, the potential sharpness displayed in full, as it sank into the granite pillar.
SHUNK*
The Huntress was not hindered, instead fluidly changing her style of attack. Her hands and feet came at him with lightning fast precision and accuracy. Spider-Man was genuinely taken by surprise. His years of crime fighting, assisted by his Spider-sense, kept her from overwhelming him. If he hadn't been forced to recently look into her background for work, she might have had an even further edge on him.
He had to disable her, somehow, but he barely had time to block her, let alone separate her from the woman that showed genuine interest in his other. He performed a backwards roll, using all the strength in his hand to launch himself to the upper level of the Bank. Landing on his feet, he only seemed to excite the Huntress, as she scaled the wall with that same cheetah-like speed. As she did, her hand reached out, the knife embedded in the pillar shook for a moment, before flying towards her. Grabbing the blade in a reverse grip, she was able to land a slash across Spider-man's chest, leaving a bloody wound at a slight diagonal angle.
The pain put Peter into a pure instinctive mode, grabbing the offending arm, he twisted it while simultaneously launching her over his shoulder, and straight into a granite pillar.
CRACK*
She left an indent as she fell to the floor. Spider-Man, his sense returning to him, quickly shot splats of webbing at her landing area, giving her a soft landing, but also restraining her.
Once he could tell she was still breathing, he quickly made sure the Rhino and the goons were webbed up properly. As he was about to make sure she was okay, he had turned to see her looking at him, her pose incidentally reminding him of a cat. They watched each other for a moment, before he turned away, web-zipping out the window
As soon as he left, she opened her hand again, her knife coming to her. She swiftly cut her bonds as the police found the time proper to move in. Before they could begin to question her, she pointed her fingers at the Rhino.
Spider-Man swung hard and fast to get away from the bank. He wanted as much distance as possible. He worried, en route, that Kraven would be arrested alongside the Rhino. She may have cut at him, but she didn't rob that bank, nor did she hold those people hostage.
What the hell was that knife? It returned to her, like cap's shield...
As he recalled the fight, the stinging in his chest grew prominent, and he changed course. Returning to his apartment discreetly, he was filled with relief when he was finally in his small bathroom. Peeling off the suit, he assessed his wound. It was shallow, but bled a little too much for his liking. Sacrificing a towel to absorb much of the excess blood, he got to work on patching himself. Thankfully, so long as he wore dark clothing, and didn't take off his shirt, it was unnoticeable. His thoughts returned to the fight, to Kraven, again.
For someone supposedly human, she is at least on par with Cap. Shit, she could probably take on more than a couple of my rogues with ease.
Rogues brought to mind Rhino, which brought to mind the robbery. He flicked on the Television, always left on the news in case of a sudden supervillain attack. How was the news going to spin this story?
"-No one was injured, thankfully, besides the security guard, who we can confirm is in stable condition."
"The vigilante Spider-Man, reportedly brought down the Rhino. Rhino is now in Raft custody once again."
No mention of Kraven? Everybody and their mother was wondering if she was here to hunt Spider-Man. Some of them wanted her to kill him, and she was certainly trying.
The news gave no indication that Kraven was even present, which did give hope to Peter. He hadn't meant to throw her into the pillar, it was gut instinct. He heard her impact, and knew she collided with it hard. Although, she seemed aware when he left, staring after him.
Something told him this wasn't the last time, that Spider-Man would cross paths with the infamous Huntress.
Africa, 1937
She awoke with a start, her first thought was of the lion. Her second thought, was her father, and Sasha. Was she dead? Were they? She knew not to hope for her father, his wounds were grave, even as he came to her rescue. Sasha was knocked out...maybe-
She made to move, and pain flared in her ribs. A cool hand came over her forehead, pushing her down gently. A soothing, sensual voice spoke. Her vision seemed to return to her. What she saw was clearly an african woman, her face framed by wild black curls.
"Settle, the potions have not worked their full magic. You need to rest."
Potions? Magic? wait, no. The lion, what about the lion?!
"The...lion..." She tried to ask.
"It is dead, you succeeded in killing it." She gestured, lifting her head enough to see the lion laying dead across the room. How did she?-"Though you should have let it be."
"It killed...people...other lions... we were hired."
"Yes, you were hired, by those that would try to bury their sin."
"What?" The woman's words made no sense.
"They told you their witch tales, yes? Of the Vengeful Demoness deep in the jungle? Did they mention the part where they used the witch and her gifts? That when they got greedy, and when nature spurned them, they turned on the witch?"
"They...didn't." She looked up at the ceiling of the hut. "My father...is..."
"Yes. He died a warrior's death." The woman's tone was warm. Her touch was motherly, something she hadn't felt in years. The Witch combed her fingers into her new wards hair. "I am sorry, my dear. More than you may ever believe. I am sorry that you were dragged into this, without the full story. But the other male lives, and you have claimed victory over the beast."
"Wait, Sasha-"
As though summoned, the man entered the hut, shirtless and head wrapped in gauze, but very much alive. He moved forward, embracing her. As they embraced, the Witch resumed speaking.
"What I offer, in exchange for your loss, is a chance beyond what the 'natural' world ever could."
"Who are you?" She asked, still embraced by Sasha, watching the dark skinned woman over the man's shoulder. The Witch smiled at her.
"My name is Calypso."
New York, 2017
Nothing especially eventful occurred for the following week. Peter, nor Spider-Man, had seen Kraven. There were no new updates from the public either. The Bugle released his interview, the first printings almost immediately sold out upon realizing Kraven the Huntress was on the front, her interview on page ten. For once, Spider-Man's little tussle with Rhino was put closer to the back, right before the help wanted section. Speaking of which, that bank now had an opening for a new security guard, Peter couldn't blame the guy.
He got a call from Ekon, who asked if he would have time to accompany Miss Kravinoff. He said yes, of course. He may freelanced full time at the Bugle, he technically wasn't obligated to show. Peter was picked up by Ekon, who said his employer had insisted.
This time he was brought to a high end restaurant. He was led through until she was within sight, the place offered a lot of privacy for their patrons. The tables spaced out enough to allow any sort of talk to take place. He would learn, later, that the owners even bought the buildings surrounding them, making it very hard to spy on clientele.
"Are you alright?" It was the first thing he asked, he hadn't even sat down. He had no concern asking her about her physical health. She was aware he was friendly with Spider-Man, and he could pass it off as knowledge shared between associates.
"Peter! I'm fantastic now that you are here!" She either misread his question(unlikely) or she ignored the context. In her hand was a copy of the Bugle interview. "You really got my good side. Have you seen the responses of my critics? Ha!"
To the Huntress, many lacked the political finesse of the old world. Oh, people were better at lying, bribing, yes absolutely. But technology has made them weak in other aspects. When you confronted someone outside their keyboard, they were suddenly a lot less brave. The generation was weak, their jabs did nothing but make her laugh.
Peter was not one of them to her, he had humility. He had two science degrees where one might struggle to get one. That took a strong mind, and under those clothes, was a strong body. She thought of a variety of exercises he could possibly engage in, until he disturbed her thought process.
"Kraven, please. I know you fought... him, are you okay?" Peter asked.
Others saying the same thing might have irritated her. Peter saying it, the genuine concern, warmed her. She set the paper neatly on the table. "I am fine Peter, really. Please sit, let yourself relax. We can speak freely here, you can say his name."
He stood there hesitantly for a moment, before relenting,and took his seat across from her.
"Wonderful, choose whatever you want. I recommend the boneless steak." Peter would accept the recommendation, his mind too fixated to really look at the menu. He just acted like he was.
"He talked to me about your fight, why?"
"Which part?" Her disregard of the encounter he knew happened made him flustered, as he shut his menu, slapping it softly on the table.
"Everything!"
Kraven could tell it bothered him, and why shouldn't it? Spider-Man was, at least, a close associate of Peter's, maybe even a friend. If she owed anyone a real answer, regarding the Spider, it was him. She spoke unfiltered:
"It was a matter of finding him first, Peter. Ekon has kept an ear for super-villain-related crime. Spider-Man entered the bank as I arrived, I can't believe no one else saw. I watched, as he disabled gunmen, rescued the hostages."
It seemed to excite her more and more as she told the tale from her perspective. Peter, although living the experience, found himself pulled in.
"Then he was fighting the Rhino, what a beastie. Sent him spinning into the ground. He looked so powerful, and I couldn't help myself anymore." She took a drink of her wine, then continued.
"I took out the Rhino first, wanted to test my mettle against the weaker specimen. I was more disappointed than I thought. A flash grenade and a few strikes?"
A few strikes she says...she pummeled him HARD. I don't think the guy even knows what hit him.
"Then I fought the Spider, and he did not disappoint, until..." She seemed to pause. "He left me there. He seemed about to check on me, as if he needed to-ugh- if only I could have pulled out of the webbing first."
She honestly sounded more offended that Spider-Man had simply left. Peter decided to interject during her pause. The guilt had eaten at him during the week.
"He told me you hit the pillar pretty hard. He was worried, he didn't mean to-" She interrupted him, her eyes wide.
"Oh but he did, and that's what I was looking for, he kept holding back. He saw me, at that moment, as a threat, that is a good sign." Kraven frowned. "Then he just... left. He turned his back on me. You do not just turn your back to a rival predator."
In Kraven's mind, it was equivalent to a red and blue tiger getting the best of her, before simply leaving. Predators fight to kill, only running from defeat to fight another day. Spider-Man won, and he just walked away, from her.
In Peter's mind, he realized he wouldn't get anywhere. He would at least get one answer. Reaching over to touch her hand, a bold move on his part, he grabbed her attention.
"You are okay, right?" He really was concerned. a small blush grew on the normally stone-cold hunter. Her demeanor seemed to change, ever so slightly. She smiled at him.
"Of course I am. I had a sore back, sure, but I have a strong body. Lions and bears have done worse to me." Realizing he was still touching her hand, Peter's face began to heat up. He was going to retreat his hand, but she grabbed it. "Thank you, Peter."
Lunch had arrived then. It looked expensive, and tasted expensive. So much in fact that Kraven stopped him before he could start.
"It is my treat Peter. You wouldn't tell a lady what to do with her money, would you? Besides, I owe you for our outing the other day."
She is not comparing a three dollar hotdog to a one hundred dollar steak, is she? That's so...Kraven.
At that point Peter had realized Kraven was not normal, and stopped trying to use normal reasoning. She carried herself with an aristocratic air, but walked beside Peter. She never made it a point to demean or raise herself above him, or anyone else. He still wasn't sure what this was, but he decided to roll with it.
"Can you tell me one thing?" He decided to ask, just to get it off his chest. She motioned for him to go ahead. "The Bugle, it made no mention of you at the Bank. You were the one that took him out, why not take the credit?"
"While I am not shy, I do not need that kind of attention." She paused for a moment, biting her lip. "I am not a Superhero Peter, and I don't want to be seen as one. People will start thinking I'm going to rescue them, that I'm some sort of crime fighter. I am a Hunter, I have a code of Honor, and a sense of pride. Taking down 'The Rhino' was nothing to write home about.
The rest of lunch was casual. The subject of Spider-Man had been dropped, even Peter felt at ease. Of course, it came to a close, but not before Kraven asked Peter something utterly ludicrous.
"A party? Like a...rich people party?" He asked, about to pull out his wallet to add a tip.
"Exactly, of course there will be plenty of people from all sorts of occupations." Kraven said as she dropped a pair of Benjamins the table while Peter still had his hand reaching for his wallet. She took advantage by looping her arm around his, making him appear more proper than he was.
Oh boy, that could mean a lot of things.
In Peter's short time on earth, he found that he did not mix that well with parties, even ones that didn't blow up because of superhuman party crashers. He began to think he was a magnet for that sort of thing. "Not my kind of party really-"
"Not mine either, which is why I want someone to talk to. Matter of fact, your boss should be attending it, use it as an excuse to grab some pictures for him."
They were already out the door, Ekon was already waiting by the car. Peter had to answer, and while he wanted to say no, he didn't want to say no to Kraven.
"I-um-sure?" He was rewarded with a wide smile.
"Excellent." She let go of him slowly, waiting until the tips of her fingers were off of him before she went to the car.
Peter called out to her. She paused at the open door, much like she did at the airport not long ago.
"Why do you want to hunt him?" He didn't need to be specific, there was only one he could be speaking of.
She looked back at him, and gave him that sharp smile.
"To prove I am the greatest hunter in the world."
"I notice you smile much more often after you have seen Peter." Ekon inferred after they dropped Peter off.
"He makes me happy, I feel like a woman when I am around him. Not just the deadly Huntress of the world's predators."
Her servant hummed. Ekon was loyal, if she asked him to kill Spider-Man he would do everything in his power to do so. However, he wasn't a yes man either. She valued his opinion, his perspective. It is why he openly stated:
"He may never forgive you, if you kill Spider-Man."
"I will cross that bridge when it comes."
Kraven failed to mention she was the one hosting the party(Not at her penthouse of course. A more public area was rented). She also forgot to mention the fundraiser was for the strays of New York. That was a pleasant surprise, and one that did not bother Peter. At the least it made this entire shindig more tolerable.
He never liked these gala type parties. It was filled with people that spoke of issues that they never lived through. He saw all sorts of types, celebrities, lawyers, judges, publishers apparently. He thought he saw an old co-worker of Mary Jane's, but shrugged it off.
He wanted nothing more than to take pictures, and slink into the wall. Unfortunately, he was forced to approach any and all head-on. This was because of the woman on his arm. She was dressed similarly to the night they had the interview. The patterned dress was a deeper, bloody red The coat was gone, and a serrated tooth necklace complimented her today.
Kraven's smile was controlled and, modest. She took the reins to the conversations held with New York's Elite. One or two did comment on her "arm candy", and where she found such a man. Kraven, ignoring his reddening face, made it a point to say "He is part of an exclusive line, and they are out of stock."
During a lapse in people approaching the Huntress, she gave a soft smile at him.
"Thank you for coming, I am really glad you are here. These 'suits', far too many of them are pretenders. You are..genuine, it is refreshing."
A man came up to them. He was in uniform, medals adorning his chest. Peter kept his mouth shut to avoid making an embarrassing mistake by assuming
"Lady Kravinoff." He addressed curtly.
"Chief, how nice to see you. Peter, this is the new Chief of Police in New York."
Peter knew the man, he had taken over after Sin Eater murdered the last chief. It wasn't so bad, the man prioritized villains. He even forced Jameson to remove the bounty he had on the web-head for so long. This had shocked Peter, as the man had a clear distaste for Spider-Man.
"This is Peter Parker? Spider-Man's photographer?" His tone was polite, at least.
"Yes, he is part of the reason this party is happening."
I am? "Pleased to meet you sir." He made sure his hand was out, the Chief met him halfway.
"Likewise. Forgive me for assuming such, but are you helping Miss Kravinoff in her hunt for the Spider?"
Wait, hold up-
Kraven was quick to interject, her smile forced under a false calm. "No. He is here as my date. I have not asked him for his help, and I do not plan to."
Her words warmed him, until the Chief's next words chilled him to the bone.
"Lady Kravinoff, I gave you authorization to operate in New York on the condition that you would be willing to hunt 'The Spider-Man', and his 'associates'. While many appreciate this fundraiser, even as cover, some are...concerned." His implication made Kraven's eyes narrow.
"Their concerns are wasted. The hunt has only begun. You just keep your boys in line, and keep me out of the spotlight."
The man cleared his throat, before giving a small nod. He was clearly miffed, but composed, as he took his leave "Very well, I will leave you with your current toy."
Peter noticed her jaw tightening momentarily. However, she seemed to relax when she made eye contact with him.
"Don't listen to him Peter, I did this fundraiser because I wanted to help. I do not need it to hunt my quarry." Her eyes narrowed. "The audacity of him, to assume such things about my personal life. His police force can barely keep up, yet he dares to, nevermind. Come, there are unfortunately more to mingle with."
Despite his earlier reservations about coming, he felt fine. Kraven still did most of the talking, allowing him to just focus on not ruining it for her. He went to grab them both a drink, as she spoke to a dress stylist, Joel S-something. He had gone to one of many tables with expensive velvet tablecloths and a generous spread. It was unfortunate timing for Peter.
"Peter?" She said his name, and he couldn't mistake that voice. He only hoped that it was someone else as he turned, it wasn't. Her hair was down, stylized with some curls. The Black dress she wore was simple, yet hugged her figure in all the right ways.
"Mary Jane?" No, why here?
"This isn't your usual scene." She was kind enough to not be obvious, not much else. "I thought the Bugle got someone else for these kinda things-"
"Peter! I thought I lost you!" Lady Kravinoff had her arms hooked around his left arm in a millisecond. Her grip was tight, but very comfortable. "You had me worried, lots of tigers on the prowl here." She looked at Mary Jane. "Ah, hello, you are one of Kingsley's models, yes?
"Peter..who is this?" Mary Jane looked slightly irritated at the woman latched onto Peter's arm. Peter in turn, felt irritated. The redhead had been the source of many painful nights, another notch added to the belt of regret and lost chances.
It had brought Peter close to quitting because of it, throwing his suit in the trash. Renouncing his powers and the responsibilities that came with it. All for a chance to have that redhead in his life again.
Because Goddammit, he wanted a life.
However, he simply couldn't, and forced the pain down, where eventually it stayed down. Until of course, he saw her here, tonight. He had seen her around, sure, she was dating an astronaut at one point, which happened only a few months after they had broken it off.
I thought you said you had enough, when YOU broke it off. Now you look betrayed when someone else is with me?
Peter felt a rush of emotions, first it was embarrassment, fear. With a few choice words MJ invited his anger to return. He had no idea what would come out of his mouth, what he would say, to embarrass himself. What was okay to say in front of Kraven? Fortunately, he didn't have to worry.
"A new lady in his life, a pleasure to meet you." Kraven took over before he could say a word, the redhead's eyes widened at the implication. She had her hand out to Mary Jane, who took it hesitantly, still stunned. "Lady Kravinoff is what they like to call me here."
Mary Jane seemed to put two and two together very fast. To be fair, many women were here flaunting dresses with animal patterns, it was part of the fundraiser, supposedly. Mary Jane was in the world of modeling, not infamous animal hunters.
"I am guessing, from your interaction, that he is your date." Kraven nodded with her eyes closed momentarily. She pressed Peter's arm into her chest.
"I was so ecstatic when he said yes. This whole night he has kept me sane." She leaned her head on his shoulder, while looking directly at the redhead. "I have no idea who could let such a fine specimen walk away."
"That can be hard, when he is rarely available." MJ's face was turning as red as her hair, as she made the subtle jab.
"Oh I concur! That is why I appreciate every moment I have with him. You never know when they are gone for good." Tension was obvious in Mary Jane's frame, but she buried it. Kraven never batted an eye, never loosened her hold on him.
"I guess so, pardon me, enjoy the rest of the party." She turned away, quickly blending into the crowd. Peter didn't let out a single noise during their entire exchange, entering a strange calm. The moment Kraven took over, his worry of Mary Jane, and her opinion of him, seemed to disappear. It wouldn't be gone forever, but Kraven...made things easier.
Peter spent the rest of the party in a quiet daze. He did not see Mary Jane, nor did he care to look for her. She most likely avoided him, which was easy enough, given the size of the party. Kraven never left him, her arm around his. It was her claim to him, witness to all. He knew now, even though the hints were very apparent, that she was seducing him. Why else would she say such things to Mary Jane?
The question he had, was why? Perhaps it was obvious to any witnesses, but it was different to be the object of affection. Kraven had been known to have a "heart of ice" when it came to romance. A romantic, but dismissed anyone when it came to courting or relationships, and that's just what people knew. There was so little known about what Kraven did outside her escapades. She told him herself she had children, which could have meant a significant other, possibly out of the spotlight. Was he just a fancy? Something to amuse her? She wouldn't have come to his defense, but she treated MJ like a kitten rather than a tiger.
He was still trying to get it all together, as the event ended, and many took their leave. Peter, being a gentleman, wanted to see her get home. This really meant walking her through the lobby to her private elevator, before Ekon dropped him off at his own apartment.
"Did you have a nice time Peter?" She wore the leather coat she had before, during their outing at the park. she had it closed, preferring to have attention off her, even in her own building, for the moment.
"Only because you were there." Peter responded, throwing out subtlety.
"I feel the same way. I prefer your company to all of them. In fact, I would rather prefer one of our outings." She paused. "If I could address something Peter."
He looked at her.
"Spending time with you, and hunting the Spider are two very separate activities. I will not use you to simply get at him." She rested her head on his shoulder. "It is true, I wanted to learn about him from the man that takes his photos. But really, I ask for your company, because I enjoy it. I enjoy you."
Her words set him aflame, with joy, adoration, anxiety. He couldn't play stupid, how could he? Kraven herself could not be so tone deaf. Peter would have pulled a Johnny Storm, if he didn't have such a poor impression of himself.
"It is too bad about that redhead, I meant what I said. She lost something special, giving you up."
Peter couldn't do this, not with her. He was tired of word games, even if those words were very obvious. It wasn't the attraction, no, it was there. What he wanted to know, what he wanted to figure out, was the outright truth.
Who was Kraven trying to get: Peter? or Spider-man? She knew of his connections beforehand, to the web slinger. Was she trying to lower his guard? Was she actually lowering hers?
They were at her private elevator. She hadn't pressed the button yet. Ekon was ready outside to take Peter home. Peter needed his answers now.
"Kraven?" He spoke her name softly. She looked at him again.
"Yes?"
"What are your intentions toward me? Are you... interested in me..." Kraven drew herself in closer. He was awaiting the dismissal, for her to laugh it off. Perhaps not even bother with an answer. He would take no, even if it hurt.
"And what if I am? Is that a problem? Is there...another woman in your life?" He wasn't expecting her to prod back with her own questions. He should have, but he didn't, his mind was clouded with his self-ruination.
"It's not, but... okay." He steeled himself, prepared to ruin this wonderful thing he had.
"I have had other women in my life. And they have left me. The first girl I loved...my connection to Spider-Man caused her death. The second left because...because I am terrible at maintaining a social life, you just met her at the party. I have duties that make me late, and sometimes... I'm really just a shitty person, that can't keep his life intact for five minutes. Any one else...they aren't really interested in me...or... or.." Just say it, Peter. "..they are more interested in Spider-Man."
Many may have believed he was still hung up on Mary Jane. He was, but during that rough period a jewel thief came into his life. They began to enjoy each other's company much more personally. She seemed to be turning over a new leaf, and was joining him on patrol. Finally a person that could be a part of his other life!
In a moment of weakness, he revealed his identity to her, and she practically begged him to put the mask back on. He told her he loved her, he wouldn't ever forget the response he got.
"I love you." He said. She looked away from him, ashamed.
"And I love you, Spider-Man."
It hurt, it hurt so much. Spending time with the Huntress reminded him of those good times, right before the hurt. The times with either MJ or Felicia. He didn't want that again, he didn't want to be led on anymore. It was going to hurt already, so better it ended here and now. It was quiet, as Kraven digested his words.
"The only problem I have, Peter, is that you think of yourself so lowly." She stepped closer to him, her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him very close.
"You can probably believe I don't have a good social life either, my family has a degree of distaste for me. Ekon is the only person I would consider a friend." Her right hand moved to caress his face. "I know about Gwen Stacy, and nothing about that situation is your fault." Tears were in his eyes, she wiped them before they could trail down. "Not even Spider-Man's."
His body shuddered, hearing those words with Kraven's conviction. She wasn't even throwing Spider-man under the bus. Everyone did, everyone. All for different reasons, but all of them hurt just the same.
Her left hand had moved to caress his tie.
"As for the Watson girl, and any other girl like her... If she doesn't want you..." She looked at him with a fierce intensity. "Then I will take you for myself."
With that said, she cradled his face in her hands, and kissed him. It was sudden, but he returned the kiss, passionate and hungry. She stopped it before they could go further. They both panted from the experience, Peter more so.
"I care about you Peter, I like you. But I am not so easy. You still need to work for it."
His sadness seemed to retreat, as he looked at her, his hands still caressing her back.
"Does that mean I am... hunting the hunter?"
She kissed him again, before smiling sharply.
"I look forward to it, until then, I want to leave you with something special. Something few know."
"What is that?" Peter inquired, still a little blitzed from her kiss. Her hands rested on his shoulders.
"My birth name, my real name." She came close, and whispered into his ear.
199?
"Sasha, don't do this." She begged him. They already had so much. Everything they could have wanted. They had separated for a time... then they found their way back to each other.
But Sasha changed, he had decided to take the world. Russia wouldn't be enough, it would simply be the start. His intention was to take advantage of the Soviet Union's fall.
He could do it too, he had the capability. Always did. She simply did not believe he would do it to the detriment of their family.
"The old world is gasping its final breath. We can be the King and Queen of an entirely new world." He had all but completely gone mad. He spoke calmly, brazenly, as though he didn't have his fist in Calypso's hair, her mouth and hands taped to prevent any problems. The fact he did not consider his wife's reaction to his actions was a further sign of quiet madness.
"This is not what Calypso gifts were for! Let her go...now." Sasha dropped the Witch to the floor, unsheathing his blade.
"You can join me... or you can join the old world."
Kraven glared, tears flowing, as she unsheathed her own knife. Years together, whispers and promises, a family rebuilt. Somehow, it had led to this.
Ironic enough, it was he that joined the old world.
New York, 2018
Fall turned into Winter, and Kraven had kept her word. Not once did she ask for info on Spider-man. They enjoyed each other's company as often as they could, as long as they could.
But Peter was beginning to worry. He would encounter her multiple times as Spider-Man. Each time began and ended the same. Kraven would find him, they would fight. He would slow her down long enough to escape, but she was persistent.
She would start going after other villains due to pressure from the chief of police. It ironically helped him some. She even managed to take down Vermin, And Peter gave her no lack of praise. Spider-Man needed Captain America's help the last time. However, during those periods, she was hunting for him, if not socializing with Peter Parker.
And then, there were the traps, laid out around the city. Impossible for civilians to get caught in, because they were designed for him. They still didn't work.
It was affecting Kraven, Peter saw it. Her habits were changing in small ways, hard to tell unless you've been with someone for a while. He even noticed her taking an occasional look at a rifle hung over the fireplace, a keepsake of her great grandfather. Her gaze was now fixated on the most recent copy of the daily bugle newspaper, eyes alight with fire.
"Are you alright? You don't look well." She smiled at him
"I am better with you, but this hunt...it grows frustrating." She showed him the most recent bugle article. "Spider-Man caught Vermin, alone. Taking down that rat gave me pride."
"I remember, you bragged while I dressed your wounds."
Peter had already been at her place for a meetup. She came through her window, gashes on her side. He naturally had a small panic attack before making sure she tended to her injuries.
"And now I have lost my edge over the Spider." She flung the article, landing it directly into the fireplace, causing it to glow brightly for a moment before settling. "Damn him, if I wasn't so impressed by him, I would be tempted to take my fathers rifle."
"Then you would break your code." Peter interjected, not just out of fear of Kraven using an actual gun on him, but because he knew what her code meant to her.
"Exactly. I must beat him, somehow."
"Do you have to? I know you are close, but this is harming you." He turned her to him, touching her face lightly. "Please, stop this."'
He felt like a hypocrite, as he threw himself into the fray more often than not. His early years were driven by a need to right a wrong. That need almost destroyed him, until he learned to balance himself.
The Huntress's look grew soft. She grabbed the back of his head, and pressed her lips to his. For five full seconds, they stayed like that, before she pressed her forehead to his.
"You are right Peter, this hunt needs to end."
South Africa, 2016
Kravinoff Estate
She was having a nice dinner, lamb she had hunted recently. The wine, unopened until tonight, was seventy years old. A small cake was left untouched, it was not for her.
Kraven had this type of celebration twice a year. One was for birth, and the other for death. It was in recent decades, that her own depression began to affect her. Her father's rifle was mounted over the fireplace. She found her eyes drawn to it more often as of late.
The servant entered, she looked at him pointedly, before glancing at the bottle. The servant quietly poured her glass. The wine had a maroon coloring that looked... delicious. She spoke before he finished pouring.
"Dimitri, I hope you didn't kill my servant when you stole his face."
He did not freeze or react in shock. Instead he smiled as he poured himself a glass. Before, she would simply strike him, force him to the ground to make him reveal himself. She grew lazy with that exercise, simply not caring enough.
"Sister, I am offended, I would never put such a burden on you." He relaxed in the chair across from her. "What? Can't I visit my family? On this occasion no less?"
"Can't you wear your face, when you come in?"
"Touche." He had rejected his own face long ago, preferring the guise of others.
Dimitri was not a hunter, not like her. In fact, he was more or less an actor, the worst kind. The one you couldn't tell was acting, unless you were family. Even then, his skills were impressive, She remembered when he had started doing it, as a young boy. He put on shows to amuse her, entertain her.
He could have gone to Hollywood, become an icon in the beginning of its golden age (Maybe he did). Instead, he began a hunt of his own, a different kind.
She wondered if he even remembered what he looked like.
"Why are you here Dimitri?"
"Sister, please, I came here to celebrate with you. You know I never had the chance to know him, the way you and Sasha had." He let his gaze rest on the cake, deep in thought for a moment. "It's not his birthday..."
"No, it's the day he died, the same day he found out about you, I believe." Kraven reached for the knife beside the cake.
"I hope that isn't an insult sister." Dimitri stated, watching his sister sliced a piece of cake and offered it to him, as she said:
"It's a fact, brother. Confirmed after I confronted your whore mother about it."
"I can't argue with that, though I wonder..."
"He wouldn't have married her Dimitri, He may have tolerated you, maybe even grown to love you. But your mother took advantage of a grieving man." Her voice was soft, like it was when she would tell a younger Dimitri, unafraid of his own face, stories of their father. A sharp edge overtook it whenever she was mentioned. Dimitri knew she couldn't help it however, and he didn't hold that against her.
Kraven didn't explicitly say: "You weren't supposed to be born." That wasn't fair to Dimitri. Her father still made a choice.
"Yet you call me brother."
"Yes, it's why I've tolerated you for so many years. It's why I'm annoyed when you show up in disguise." She took a drink from her glass, and gave him a side glance. "So, who or what are you running from now."
Dimitri, who had been looking at a portrait of their father post-revolution, tilted his head as though suddenly remembering something. "Even if I was on the run, I could have gone anywhere else, somewhere warm."
"Why are you on the run? This time of course." Dimitri didn't blink, but decided to come clean.
"I had a new gig in America, I was running this newspaper in New York, while the real guy was stuck in his closet!" He chuckled, before he continued.
"Anyways, I was found out, and of all the people to rat me out, it was Spider-Man."
"So?" She inquired dully "New York is filled with those types, you knew you were playing with fire."
"But sister, the place I was running, the Bugle, they hate the Spider. Yet he still exposed me, and everyone was liking me better than the real guy."
"You feel spurned, what of it?"
"Not so much spurned as impressed. You know I do this for the thrill, much like you and your hunts. Spider-Man is very skilled. For all the superhumans parading themselves about, he keeps them in line. The criminals I mean, not everyone is peaches."
He stood up with his glass, swaying about exaggeratedly as he spoke. "In fact, I would argue he is the Apex predator of his concrete jungle. Actually, no, he might just be the greatest Hunter in the States, maybe even..." Dimitri looked back at her. "The World."
"Dimitri, do you want me to hunt the Spider because he called you out?"
He came to her chair, resting on his knees, closer than he ever had been to her tonight.
"Sister, how many lions, tigers, and bears can you hunt before you are bored? How many Sharks? I tell you this story, because this is an untapped challenge. You have dominated beasts and men, but now? This is a chance to prove yourself against the superhuman community." He planted the idea permanently with his next words:
"How can you be the greatest hunter in the world...if there is a contender?"
New York, 2018
After that day, Kraven was quiet. After a week had passed, Peter called Ekon. The man was reassuring.
"Lady Kravinoff is busy with certain affairs. She swore me to oath, to tell you she will speak with you soon."
He should have seen it coming really. Not long after his talk with Ekon, an art gallery was promoting a new piece. By that, I mean an explosion of articles and media coverage made it unavoidable. It brought every eye in New York to a Jewel considered very rare. Great attention was brought to the security system, considered state of the art and being promoted as "impervious to break-in."
So naturally, The Black Cat stole the diamond.
It was shown in the news. Peter had groaned seeing it that day when he woke after a late night. He had been patrolling, no Huntress in sight. Later in the day, he decided to stop by Felicia's old apartment.
Ultimately, he had wanted to know why she was back to her old ways. He wasn't going to tolerate it, not anymore. His frustration turned fast into anxiety when he saw the window was shattered, and he web-zipped in. The room was flipped upside down. A vicious tussle had occurred, and blood was spilled.
In the center of the room, was a small table, amazingly upright compared to the rest of the place. What froze his blood solid, was the dagger impaling a panthers pelt atop it. The stolen diamond practically rested against the blade. As though for punctuation, even though the answer was clear, was the note left stuck on the dagger.
Come alone, or she dies -K
Below it, an address was written, bringing him to upstate new york. He found the manor relatively easily, although it was not "publicly" owned by Kraven. You can't underestimate the ability of GPS. His agility allowed him to easily maneuver around the sprawl of trees. The fence was no issue to get over, for him. There were no attack dogs, no one guarding the outside. There weren't any noticeable cameras either. Just a quiet mansion.
He entered through a window, and there was still no one, only darkness. He moved slowly through the large property, until he heard something.
Tap-Tap-Tap...Tap-Tap-Tap*
It was coming in small repeats, intentionally making sounds. He followed it cautiously. The room it came from only had one doorway, no door visible, it allowed him to hear the hard breathing of someone besides the tapping. He entered.
Tap-Tap-Tap*
Kraven the Huntress stood in the room, gorgeous, and bathed in moonlight. Felicia Hardy was still in her Bloody costume, very much alive. She stood on her knees, mouth taped shut, arms bound around her. Her eye mask was gone, cuts and bruises decorating her. Kraven ended the rhythmic tapping of her spear as he entered.
"Good, you are here."
"Let her go, now."
"Of course, but first, agree to a duel."
SMASH*
Spider-Man smashed his fist into the wall behind him, puncturing the wall, spider cracks violently erupting.
"Enough! Why does this matter so much to you?! Why did you bring her into this?!"
"Simple Spider, you gave a shit, and I am done with your skittish escapes. The hunt ends here, but on even grounds." A spear was tossed to him, he grabbed it reflexively. "No webs, just blades, you and me, Spider."
"I am not going to use a weap-" Faster than he could react, Kraven pulled out a gun from behind her back. A lever action shotgun was placed to the nape of Felicia's neck. Her screams were muffled by the tape over her mouth.
"Agree or she dies now! I won't miss, not at this range. Agree, or she dies! you have five seconds!" Peter's answer was immediate.
"Okay, please stop." Spider-Man raised both hands slowly. "I agree with your terms. I'll take my web shooters off, one at a time. Please, don't shoot her."
He did as he said. He considered the opportunity to suddenly use his shooters instead, but the risk wasn't worth it. Truthfully, he was not sure if Kraven would actually use the gun, or even had it loaded. But he couldn't risk it, Felicia seemed barely able to move.
"Toss them to the side, and don't fuck with me."
He did as she asked. And then she smiled at him. It was one of her warm smiles, the one that set Peter's heart aflame-
She grabbed the tape on Felicia's mouth, and ripped it off. Felicia swore obscenities as she coughed. The huntress had another spear out, gracefully slicing Felicia's arm restraints, before kicking her in the ass to the floor.
"Get out of here you faux fur wearing whore. There is a car with keys in the ignition, in the garage. Leave, or I will kill you."
Felicia half crawled out of the room. She was wincing as she moved. It was clear, from her body language, and the wounds all over her, that Kraven the Huntress held nothing back. Confidant, playful, deadly Felicia, limped without grace out of the room. Her only acknowledgment was looking at Spider-Man as she passed, as she was cradling her left arm.
"Spider?" Was all she managed, as a growl came from Kraven.
"Go, do as she says, don't return." It came off cold, as he never took his eyes off Kraven. He really meant don't return here, but this was no time for inference. She got the message either way. Now, Huntress and Hunted watched each other. "Please, this has gone too far."
"I agree, that is why it ends tonight."
"Answer me one question, is that gun really loaded?"
She smirked at him. In a fluid motion with just one hand, she ejected a single shotgun shell in the air. She tossed the gun to the side effortlessly before catching the shell with her index finger and thumb. Her smirk widened to show teeth. Spider-Man gave a hard glare.
A moment later, a car was heard starting up. As the lights passed over the darkened room, she struck with an overhead slash. Peter rolled to the side, for once returning the offensive with a jab of his spear. He missed, and quickly retracted the spear to swing in a crescent motion, keeping the Huntress back. She seemed surprised, before that sharp smile returned in full force, her eyes manic with a need to fight.
"Finally, you respect me as a warrior."
"I always did, I just never wanted to ha-"
Fwoosh*
She thrust her spear at him several times, fast. He dodged most, but felt the last hit nick him on his left side. It brought Kraven close to him-
SMACK*
-and he butted her across the face with the stick end of his spear. She stepped away again, blood trickled down her mouth, but she only seemed happy.
"What is wrong with you? Why does this matter so much!?" Spider-Man practically snarled.
"I am not some misunderstood harlot Spider. My only issue is that you are not hung on my wall. Now, stop playing the coward, and fight."
And so he relented. Their spear tips began clashing more often than not. It was clear that Spider-Man, although taking the fight seriously, was going for her limbs to disable her. She was going for his torso, thankfully making it a tad more predictable to dodge those attacks. It didn't make the fight easy, his body was getting decorated with cuts, and so was Kraven's.
Peter saw a moment, and took it. Their spears clashed, and he used his blade to force hers to the side, before going for an overhead hit. His slash cut her spear in half before he kicked her in the stomach, launching her into the wall.
SLAM!*
She was unhindered, springing from her wall, she launched the dull half of her broken spear at Spider-Man before thrusting at him with the bladed half. Several more slices made skin deep cuts on his chest. She missed a thrust at his head. Dropping his spear, he grabbed her wrist, launching her over his head unto the floor. He twisted her arm, forcing her grip to release the spear.
POP*
To his shock, she willingly dislocated her arm, in order to send a hard kick into his side. He was sent bracing unto a small table, only having time to look up.
Kraven, up on one knee, fixed her shoulder with a hard CRACK*, before sprinting directly at Spider-Man. He barely had time to mutter "goddammit" before her arms wrapped around his waist. She rammed him into the wall, before sending them downward on the floor.
She brought her hands together, swinging them down overhead. He grabbed both hands with one of his, using his free hand to send a jab into her stomach, before sucker punching her in the face. The hits made her grunt as she was thrown off.
He ran off into the main lobby of the manor. He leapt up, pulling himself onto the next floor, dodging the spear sailing through the air, crossing into an open doorway, plunging into the wall. Kraven was on his tail, and in two leaps of her own, she moved from the stairway railing, and unto the second floor, cutting him off.
He had enough time to ready himself as she came at him with her bare hands, her hands switching between boxer-like jabs to clawing motions like a large cat. He blocked as many as he could, returning hits with his own. His frustration bled into his fighting as his fists hit harder, but she didn't stop. She leaped upon him suddenly, and he recalled Rhino's takedown.
She had her legs around his waist, hooked onto him as he attempted to throw her off. Unfortunately, they were close to the stairwell, and they both tumbled hard down the stairs, unto the ground floor once again.
Both rose at the same time. Slowly they circled each other. Kraven spat out a mouthful of blood. In spite of her injuries, she seemed ecstatic, happy even. It was only more clear than ever, that she would not stop. She lunged at him, and he did the same. Fists and feet punched, kicked, clawed at each other. They went through the doorway, which led to a spacious lounging area.
Drops of blood dripped onto the wide bear rug under their feet, as Spider-Man was backed into the spear embedded wall. He grabbed her oncoming fist, grabbing the front of her suit, before driving her into the same wall. On instinct, she finally unsheathed her knife and began slashing at him. He dodged around her swings, going low, and sending her off balance. He pulled the spear from the wall, then spun about as though to spear her through her head. She had risen, as though to stab him through the neck from below..
They were frozen, the tip of the spear was centimeters from touching her skin, her knife almost as close. A witness could not tell you who would have killed the other first. They wouldn't be able to, because Spider-Man moved the spear away slowly. If you have come this far, you know Kraven did not like this.
"Fight me...fight ME! Stab me, kill me! Finish this fight you fucker!" She screamed at him.
He tossed the spear to the side lazily. "I can't."
"FIGHT!!" She screamed
"I CAN'T!!" He screamed harder, before leaning against the wall. She grabbed him by the front of his suit. She pressed against him, her knife raised close.
"Why the hell not, you fucking bug." She seethed.
He moved slowly, his arm rising up to his face. Slowly he pulled the mask off. Her bloodlust, that was at a boiling point, suddenly chilled at the brown eyes staring at her. His face was bruised, his hair tousled. She was frozen in action, unable to move the knife forward, or away.
"I can't hurt you Stasya, I love you." Gently, he grabbed her wrist, the one that held the knife. He brought it just to the edge of his neck, before he closed his eyes.
Water collected in the Huntress's eyes. No sooner after he performed that action, she flung the knife away hard, burying it hilt deep into the wall. She pressed into him, grabbed his face, and kissed him more fiercely than she ever did before. He returned the favor with fervour, wrapping his arms around her waist. She pulled him away from the wall. Pushing him gently down onto the bear rug, she ripped off his costume. No more words were spoken.
Animals they were.
After the lovemaking was finished, their primal urges satisfied, they laid together quietly. Carefully Stasya removed herself from Peter, whispering that she would return.
The huntress returned with a medical bag, realizing they had injuries to tend to. She prioritized his wounds, most skin deep. He tried to suppress his hisses, but she still cooed at him as she bandaged him up. He decided to rip the proverbial band-aid off while she was applying real ones.
"So... now you know." He said. She nodded, but didn't seem upset.
"I should have seen it, maybe I did. Maybe I allowed my pride to blind me. It changes nothing I feel about you. If anyone has the real dirty secret it's..." She paused mid wrap of his arm.
"My mother died long ago, in nineteen-thirty-seven. I was the one in those pictures. I have been hunting for decades." She stopped herself again, and retraced her steps. "Not long after my mothers passing, my father was killed, and I was grievously injured in a hunt. A witch of the jungle, she had saved my life, gave me a gift:Power. At my insistence, and mistake, she gifted it to my first love as well. He...changed, moreso over time. Growing mad and power hungry, he wanted to retake Russia, at any cost. I had to...fix it. I have never been the same."
She finished mending him, and turned away. Starting on herself, she confessed:
"I was going to kill myself. My children are grown, and away. I had hunted the world's predators, had riches, and I was alone. I didn't have anything to live for. Then, my brother Dimitri came and told me about you. I tried to dismiss it, continue on with my hunts, but like an infection it had spread. I had resisted for several years, before finally I was driven to a new hunt."
She finished her first aid quietly, with a wrapping of her left bicep. She continued after a deep breath.
"I came to New York for one last hunt. I wanted to push you to kill me. Or I you, before I put the gunbarrel in my mouth. Then I met Peter Parker, and before I knew it, everything changed." She turned to face him. Fresh tears in her eyes. "I didn't... I didn't expect you..."
Peter interrupted by wrapping his arms around her in a side hug, looking her in the eyes.
"I love you." Was all he said. It was all that mattered to her.
"I love you Peter, all of you."
Pulling him up, he leaned on her as she guided them to a bedroom. She forced him to lay down first, then she joined him. Their bodies were only dressed in medical wrappings and bandages.
"Stasya-" He felt the need to say more, but she stopped him
"I have more to tell you, I know you probably do too. However... it can wait till tomorrow." Besides, you have already said the most important thing...several times.
She laid her head on his chest, raising his hand, she held it right above her chest. He realized, that he felt her heart beat through his hand, as she heard his.
The predators went to rest, hearts in rhythm.
New York, six months later.
Peter entered the building with a casual stride. He flashed his new card at the doorman with a warm smile. It was returned by the doorman as he was allowed into the private elevator hall. The building was only starting to feel less alien now, as he entered it more often than his own apartment. Stasya wanted him to just move in, but agreed to still take things slow.
He still called her Kraven in public, but in private, he was one of the privileged few. She had an image to maintain, but she shed it like a second skin, any time they were alone.
Entering the elevator, he tried to think of what she was going to ask of him. He had the feeling, she was going to leave New York, and take him in tow.
She had never had to publicly retract her hunt for Spider-Man. It never went public, any leaks were discredited as false or hearsay.
He entered the suite, and immediately his Spider-sense went off. He cartwheeled back before leaping to the wall. Several throwing knives were planted where he had stood. His opponent dressed far too similar to Kraven. In fact, this attacker was almost the same, aside from the cheetah mask hiding her face. He wanted to make a joke about King from Tekken, so badly.
He did not have time to quip, as he dodged another coming at him from above, this one with the mask of a bear. Once again, he noticed the similar lion vest, although this attacker was clearly a male. The throwing axe was buried deep into the wall, and Peter returned the favor with a mighty kick, the man crashing onto a table.
He landed on the floor and quickly dodged and blocked the females assaulting fists. He took her seriously quite fast, recognizing her fighting style: Krav Maga
The male then leapt into the fray. Peter performed a balancing act of countering both of his attackers at once. Seeing an opportunity, he led the female's punch into the other. While she was shocked, he got under her knees and launched her, sending her flying into the wall. Quickly turning, he launched another kick into the male, sending him into the opposite wall.
Both seemed ready to engage him, but the fight was interrupted. A heavy net caught the male, pinning him to the floor. A mighty Lioness roar stopped the fight. As everyone paused, Peter turned.
Stasya was dressed quite casually, a high grade leather jacket and cargo pants. Her personality, as he saw it, was full blown Kraven The Huntress.
"That will be enough, from both of you. First time visiting in a decade, and this is what I get for wishing..." She walked over to Peter first. "Darling, I'm sorry, I meant to beat you here. Did they hurt you?"
Peter, not at all afraid, gave her a smile, like he wasn't just ambushed. "Frankly, you gave me far worse. Although they are skilled."
Stasya's heart fluttered, before Kraven's steel jaws clamped down.
She turned away from him with a glare towards the female. Marching to her, her eyes burned into her. "Take off the mask." The other woman did, revealing another Stasya, with short platinum blonde hair. Kraven struck the other woman across the face.
"What is wrong with you Ana? You dare assault my man, the one I love? The absolute gall-Do not think I forgot about you Alyosha."
The male had removed the netting, and pulled away his bear mask. His hair was dark, like Stasya's, but wild, his face partially hidden by a thick beard. "He needed to be tested. We felt you would approve. I was having such fun too..."
Stasya wasn't having it. "I tested him one hundred times over. He proved himself to me, and clearly was in the middle of proving himself again. Fucking children."
As though realizing introductions were in order, Stasya turned to Peter, as he digested her words. "Peter, these are my children, Anastasia and Alyosha."
Peter didn't express complete shock. Well, they did look closer to being her siblings rather than her children. That wasn't his question, however.
"I thought you had three kids."
"You are correct Peter." She turned to Ana. "Where is Vladimir?"
"I am here, mother." A new man arrived, his hair dark and cleanly cut, dressed in his own hunting gear. Peter recognized his features, he looked very much like his long gone grandfather, without any facial hair. He walked with Ekon in tow. Immediately Peter felt something off looking at Ekon.
"Stasya." He started. The Huntress was ahead of him.
"Dimitri, If you laid a hand on Ekon. I will cut your head off and mount it."
"Ekon" seemed peeved, and Peter wondered if he made a mistake. Then the man pulled his face off, revealing a white mask he was too familiar with.
"Really? Both of you caught on? Not even a moment?" The Chameleon sighed. "And no, I did not hurt him. He is still out, taking care of personal business. If you recall, he had me on the floor the last time I tried. Don't look at me like that Spider, this is neutral ground, and I am not here to fight."
"Traitor." Ana hissed at Vladmir as he and Dimitri approached.
"I told you I wouldn't stop you from trying. I never said I approved, nor did I say I would not try to warn mother." Vladimir's expression was carved from stone.
"Momma's boy." Ana seethed.
"At least I still call." He looked over at Peter. His gaze was painfully neutral, Peter couldn't tell if he was happy, sad, disappointed? "Mother, is this our new father in law?"
"If I get my way, he will be your one and only father. Meet Peter Parker, The Spider-Man." Peter nodded and gave an awkward wave, before quickly giving up on understanding the situation.
"Honey, please explain."
"Of course, in the dining room, like civilized people." She emphasized the words to Vladimir's misbehaving siblings.
The scene was ludicrous, Stasya was at the head of the table. Peter was on her left, Ana on her right. Alyosha took a seat beside Ana. To Peter's surprise, the Chameleon, or Dimitri, took a seat by him. Vladmir sat by his siblings, Alyosha a barrier between him and Ana.
"Momma, how much does he know?" Ana inferred, as though the last several minutes hadn't happened.
"Almost everything." She said, then paused. Peter then decided to jump in.
"I know she is a century old, and I do not care. I knew she had children, it's hard to remember, or believe sometimes, because she is so...youthful."
Stasya looked at him with warmth, before she cleared her throat.
"First, I must address the reason I asked Peter here." She turned to him. "I am leaving New York."
"Oh-"
"Come with me." She held her hand up. "I know you carry the responsibility of New York's safekeeping. I brought my children here to carry the mantle in your steed. Despite their terrible first impression, they have the skills. Allow them to prove themselves to you, properly."
Ana snorted, leaning back into her chair. "Prove? Mother, our power is unmatched. The scum of this city will be massacred."
Peter smacked a hand Down firmly on the table, grabbing the attention of Ana and her siblings. "No."
"What do you mean-" Ana started, before Peter interjected.
"No, no murder. You have power, I can tell, but do you understand responsibility?" Peter surprised himself, but didn't stop. "Many people have power in this city, but few use it for good. You say scum, but what does that fall under, will you differ the purse snatcher from the serial rapist? The desperate from the cruel? Maybe you have hunted the most dangerous animals, but these are not animals." Peter turned to his love. "I can't leave the city in their hands unless I know, for certain, they will respect it, and it's people."
Ana's cheeks were pink, eyes blazing. Alyosha eyed Peter with renewed interest, and an amused smile. Vladimir did not seem shocked, but nodded in understanding.
"Which is why I want you to show them the right way. If it does not work, then we will find a new solution." Stasya told him. "My home is where you are. Even if I have to take care of business, I want to come home to you."
"I want to oversee them for a bit. They play by my rules, or they land in a cell. Of course, I could just let you discipline them."
"Put me in a cell? You dare." Ana glared hard at her mother's lover.
"I will." Peter did not fold, staring right back at Ana.
The tension held for a long minute before Ana got up, striding down the hall, Stasya followed after her. Vladmir stood, looking at Peter.
"Despite her attitude, she is impressed by you. She is simply embarrassed you put her in her place." He clasped Peter's shoulder like a friend. "I have never seen my mother so happy just looking at someone, not for a long time. I would be honored to call you father, one day.
He left, moving toward a room Peter assumed belonged to him. Alyosha had left the table without a word to anyone, Peter would learn that's just what he did sometimes. Turning to the only other person, The Chameleon, or now, Dimitri, gave him a smile and thumbs up.
"Ana, don't turn away from me." The youngest of the Kravinoffs whipped around, her eyes furious.
"Why? Why do we have to obey his rules? Who is he to command me?" Her youngest was furious. Ana was always a little spitfire. She got her attitude from Sasha. Stasya hoped she would learn to rein it in like Sasha did, with age.
"He is the protector of this city. We are equals in combat, and he has proved himself a victor time and time again."
Stasya could tell Ana was going to be stubborn. She had to reign her in now, or face consequences for it later. The last thing she wanted for Ana was to be thrown into a cell, by her love no less, but she would allow it, drag her there herself if needed.
"Ana this is not our city. He has lived in it, has bled protecting it. Considering he was fighting defensively, against you and Alyosha, you should be showing him proper respect, if you can't show him love."
"I know enough about this city. it is a cesspool. It was before all these... exotic people started showing up."
"Have you actually spent a day here? We have had this penthouse, but how often do you go to the parK? Visit Madison Square Garden? Have you had a New York frank?"
"A New York frank?!"
"Not the point, the point being is you came here on my invitation. However, this is not Russia. This is America, and like any other land we have visited, I want you to respect its people. No one knows how to do that better than Peter. Everything he said was right, whether you like it or not."
Stasya strode up to her daughter, but didn't raise her hand. "If you cannot follow his rules, you may leave, however much that will hurt me. If you try to use your own sense of Justice here, I will let him throw you on the mat, and you will learn why they call him, hero."
Her daughter's furious expression became teary and anguished.
"Why? Why do you fold to his whims? How can you love him so much already? How could you replace my father?!"
There it was, the real reason for her daughter's personality being more...volcanic than usual. The matriarch grew somber as she rubbed her daughters shoulders.
"Oh Ana, I wish you had been able to know your father. But...the man I loved and called your father had died long before I realized it. In his place, was a power hungry monster. I had only realized I was pregnant with you, after I had killed him."
She put her hands on her daughter's face.
"I loved Sasha, he did not love me back, not how I thought. Peter does, I hope you see that in time. That you see the good in him that I do." She pressed a kiss to her daughters forehead, before leaving her be.
Stasya returned to Peter chatting with Dimitri. The two weren't at each other's throats. Instead, they seemed quite amicable. Peter smirking as Dimitri did an imitation of that Jameson fellow.
"So I get a free pass right?" She heard her brother ask as she approached.
"If you cross the line, we will have a problem. I am open to some ideas, but no robbery, no murder, only some funny business."
"Trust me, I am discreet," Dimitri eyed his sister. "Which I will prove now." With that, the Chameleon exited stage right, leaving the two alone.
Stasya embraced him. "You are alright?" She asked.
"I'm the happiest I've been in a while. Can't believe the Chameleon of all people, is your brother. Our history is... complicated. He and I still have some things to hash out, but I'm hoping that's another Rogue I don't have to worry about." He shook his head. "How about Ana?"
"You have made an impression, she just needs to blow off steam. Not many men can put her in her place, and without trading blows. You put them in their place physically, and you did not fold to Ana. You couldn't have done any better."
"I don't want them to hate me for stealing their mother." She caressed his face.
"Peter, they would have to thank you for saving me." She moved her mouth to his neck, biting down lightly. A sign of her current want. "Now, it's been a day, let's retire for the night."
End
Author's Note:
This turned out a lot bigger than I wanted it to. I don't regret a damn thing. I probably could have had the Interview, and then their fights, and have this cut down in size. However, I felt developing their relationship beforehand gave their fights more weight.
Speaking of which, I hope you enjoyed the fights, particularly the final bout between Kraven and Spider-Man.
I do hope and anticipate future chapters will be shorter. I already have plans for Rhino, Electro, Sandman, even that pointy eared fellow from Oscorp ;).
Some have asked whether all of these will be one shots. I intend it to be that way for the most part, because it allows me artistic freedom to develop each relationship in a special way. I think some want a Sinister Harem, and while not off the table, I do not feel ready to tackle that. Others certainly could try. I am more surprised it hasn't been done already.
However, there IS a continuity, and I may have a solution that will satisfy. It may take some time, however. One step at a time.
Might be some time before the next chapter for any of my stories. You might see some updates, as I plan to fix some typos with the earlier chapters.
Till than my friends.
Rework Edit:
I Didn't think I would revisit this one as much as I did. changes are not as vivid as they were in the previous 2. Some restructuring was done to certain passages, more details added at certain points. Not too many changes otherwise. I hope you appreciate the changes/additions made.
Till then my friends.
.
