Manhattan, New York

It's the middle of the night in the city of Manhattan, yet it's quite bustling. Not too far from a beauty store are a few regular men…or men that try to appear regular. A man standing against a wall of another store with a cap on lights his cigarette, seemingly not paying attention to the two men across the street from him, who also try to appear normal as well. One of the men, is an African American with a leather jacket and a purple beanie, a cigarette hanging loose from his lip. He approaches the second man who tries to appear inconspicuous as he wears a trench coat with shades, trying to look as calm as possible.

The man in the cap inhales, waits a moment, then exhales as he watches the black man reach into his pocket and slip a small baggy into the other man's hand who hands him a folded wad of cash in return. As soon as the black man smirks and turns to walk off, the man in the cap speaks into his radio, "All right! He's made the sale now!"

All of this…is a complex set up, for a small time bust. However behind it…is a very simple logic. Squeeze the little man, to find the big man. Simple in theory. But more difficult in practice. Success requires initiative. Energy. And zeal.

"Move it! Move it! Don't let him-"

Cops began to swarm from the woodworks.

"Don't move!"

The dealer runs.

"Police! Freeze!"

Have to move fast…

"Holy shit!"

But no one is fast enough for the shadow that swoops in and snatches the target.

"It's him! It's that ninja punk!"

"Urgkkk!"

"But where's he…"

The cops watch in amazement as the shadow and their target vanishes. The dark of night, a perfect cloak for the moving shadow. But it doesn't stop the fear that ignites in the heart of the dealer who is now slammed against a wall, gazing into dangerous seemingly glowing red eyes that hide behind the mask of a kabuki mask of a fox. The dealer could feel the strong grip of his assailant due to his collar being snatched up. He honestly couldn't focus on anything else besides those menacing red eyes that made him pee his pants.

"The drugs…" his assailant spoke in a low powerful nearly emotionless tone. "Where did you get them?" However…he still couldn't speak. He heard the man clearly, perfectly and painfully clear. But he couldn't speak. The fox had his tongue instead of the cat. Was he going to die? Was this finally it? "Whose you're supplier?"

"H-hey bruh! Those cops gonna shoot!"

"Answer me."

Squeeze the little man…

"Okay okay! I get it from…from the Fish!"

…to find the big one.

Without a word, his assailant raised his hand, and darkness was all he saw next. The fox masking wearing man gripped the dealer before tossing him off the top of the marquee theater. The dealer fell right on top of the searching cops below, and by the time they reached the top.

No one was there.

"It's bad for the morale of the force Captain!"

Captain George Stacy sighed as he finished out a drag of his cigarette while glancing to a picture of his wife Helen and his daughter, Gwen. He then glanced up to Sergeant Thomas James with a slightly blank expression. "We've got to stop it once and for all!" Another argument. Not what he needed at the end of a long day, quickly turning into the start of a longer night. He should be at home with Helen and Gwen. But duty calls, as it too often does.

"I might suggest the opposite Sgt. James. That this…'Ninja' is actually good for morale," Stacy took another drag as he gave a small shrug. "It doesn't hurt, for some of the men at least, to know we're not out there on the street alone." Stacy tried to inform James who scowled at him. This unnamed person who had been seen all around New York taking down crime for the last several months has had nearly the entire police force of New York bothered, while also having criminals shivering from the mention of this vigilante. He didn't have a name per say, however some felt the way he moved in the shadows, even in the day time, and when he is seen, he is compared too as a ninja. The only thing that could be distinguished of this person is the white fox mask with orange decoration. While silly…the job was getting done.

"Maybe for some of the weaker men, Captain, but real cops have pride." James responded as Stacy looked him over. The man was ruggedly handsome, quite fit, muscled, looks as if he regularly goes to the gym. About late twenties, early thirties. Full dark blond beard and a decent haircut. But what got Stacy's attention was the fact that he cast a dark shadow, this Thomas James. Not madness exactly…but definitely obsession. "And real cops shouldn't have that pride stripped away and have their noses rubbed in it by some vigilante whose twice the criminal as the scum he's stealing from us!"

"Stealing…from us?" Stacy questioned as he stood up from his desk with a curious expression. James grunted as he glanced away a bit.

"You know what I mean, Captain."

"Actually, I'm afraid I don't, Sgt. James." Stacy shook his head. "And now if you'll excuse me," he said as he put out his cigarette. "I'm late…for a TV show, of all things." James gave a dull nod as he left Stacy's office who huffed a bit at the fact he had to go through this.

Hot lights, but no yawning allowed.

"Good evening New York…"

Captain Stacy quietly grumbled to himself as he adjusted in his chair as he sat on set with three other men. Stacy glanced at the other two guests who looked rather comfortable, which he somewhat envied. Reason he was uncomfortable because he was on a T.V show, the last place a cop needed. Might as well be in church.

"Tonight's topic of discussion is: The Fox Ninja: Savior or Scourge? With me here in the studio are our guests…New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Police Captain George Stacy, and prominent psychiatrist Dr. Minaka Hiroto," Michael June introduced with the camera panning to each man. Stacy glanced to the quiet yet smiling Minaka whose somewhat wild white hair and constantly glint glasses made him look like a mad scientist. Michael turned to the mayor with a calm smile. "Let's start with you, Mr. Mayor. What are your feelings about this bizarre new 'ninja' vigilante?"

Blasio gave a small smile as he adjusted his tie a bit "Well, Michael, my position is firm and clear. Although there are those who perceive this figure as a kind of dark godsend who fights fire with fire, my responsibility is to put all the fires out. In New York, hell the United States, no one, is above the law." Blasio shrugged as he leaned in his chair. "Besides, what do we really know about this shadowy entity?"

"Dr. Hiroto," Michael turned to his next guest. "Perhaps that falls into your area of expertise. What do we know about this…Fox Ninja?"

"Well, psychologically speaking," Minaka spoke up, his smile still present, though his eyes still being mysteriously unseen. "I should say he is extremely obsessed. And he craves individual power, indicating a a paranoid mistrust of others," Minaka started as everyone listened closely.

"Let's take the obsession first Dr. Hiroto," Michael cut in a bit as he was curious. "Obsessed with what? Dressing up in pajamas and acting like some kind of ninja? Stopping criminals? Making the police appear foolish and inept?"

"He does not make the police appear-"

"Forgive me Captain Stacy, but my question was for addressed to Dr. Hiroto," Michael cut off the Captain who shut his mouth with a light grunt. His turf, and he knew it damn well. Minaka nodded his head as he answered Michael.

"Obsessed with all of it, I should say. And a lot more. Obsessed with instilling his own sense of justice. Perhaps obsessed with being a protector. He doesn't move just in the night, but in the day as well. However he remains unseen most of the time. I wouldn't be at all surprised if he perhaps lost a loved one due to not being able to protect them. Indeed, the very genesis of this tormented figure might well be traced back to not just one, but several traumatic events of not being able to protect those close to him. Those events still haunt him, and may well haunt him forever."

"Be that as it may, Doctor, and at this point there's hardly proof. You also mention obsession with individual power, why?" Michael moved on to his next question as Hiroto looked perfectly comfortable and willing to answer any and all questions regarding this…ninja.

"Well that's obvious," Minaka chuckled a bit. "He hasn't chosen to join the police force, has he?" there were shakes of the head. "He's a rogue who acts alone. And here's the curious part, the fascinating aspect…" Minaka peered in a bit as his smile turned into a grin and Stacy simply kept a blank glare on the man. "He does not wish to share his victories and accomplishments, yet he insists on remaining anonymous, you see? He craves fame, wants to be a star, but not as himself. Only as a fictional construct…who doesn't even have a proper name." Minaka then paused in thought as he added something else, "This of course, indicates both schizophrenia and a split personality."

"Have you ever considered that his anonymity is utilitarian and necessary?" Stacy spoke up with a raised brow. "He can't do what he does without the disguise. He couldn't operate without anonymity. He'd be arrested immediately. He might suffer reprisals." Stacy reasoned.

"Quite so Captain," Minaka nodded. "But the form of his movements, and even the animal he has chosen as his image. The iconography of a sly, trickery and rather unassuming creature, yet dangerous in it's own right, given the right circumstances. The Fox," Minaka explains with Stacy getting tired of hearing the man speak. "Clearly he exults in this aspect of unassuming power to…"

"Oh for pity's sake! He just wants to scare the pants off criminals!"

"Forgive me, Captain Stacy," Michael cut in a bit. "But it almost sounds as if you're apologizing for this vigilante, perhaps even defending him," he turned to the Captain who clenched his jaw in thought. "Is that really your intent?"

"Well I…no, of course not. If he breaks laws, he must be brought to justice just like…" Stacy looked as if he wanted to sigh, but he didn't. "Just like anyone else. I just don't like getting bogged down in useless and irrelevant psycho-babble, that's all."

"Ahem," Blasio cleared his throat, getting the attention on him. "Captain Stacy here is a very pragmatic and no nonsense cop, and he gets results," this made Stacy raise a brow in thought slightly. "Which is why I am now pleased to announce the formation of a new top priority Vigilante task force to put a stop to this...ninja fox once and for all," Stacy looked quite confused as Blasio gestured to him. "With Captain Stacy here as it's commander."

Now it all made sense to Stacy. That is why he is appearing on this show with the mayor, instead of acting commissioner. Michael looked more genuinely surprised than Stacy who had to play along as if he had an idea already. "Well, this is news, Mr. Mayor and I must say you've certainly chosen a very public forum, in which to deliver your announcement,"

"On the other hand Michael," Blasio spoke up. "This 'Psychological profile' business may also have some merit. Indeed. I don't mind saying I'm impressed by Dr. Hiroto's insights, since it is also my opinion that this Fox Ninja is some sort of dark and deranged power freak."

"And on that note, I'm afraid we're out of time. So I'd just like to thank our guests and say…" Michael turned to the camera and gave a bright smile as he bowed his head a bit. "Goodnight, and a better tomorrow." Cameras then stopped rolling and Stacy approached the mayor with a frown on his lips.

"About this Task force, Mr. Mayor…"

"Brilliant idea eh, Stacy? And announced with maximum publicity," Blasio patted Stacy on the shoulder. "You can start picking your men tomorrow." Stacy tried to say more, but Blasio moved on to Minaka. "Dr. Hiroto? If I could have a moment?" Minaka nodded as he walked beside the man who put his hands on his shoulders. "I really did like your observations doctor. In fact, I'd like to explore the possibility of your serving as a consultant to the Task Force." Hearing this made Minaka's smile simply widen.

"Well, now..."

Stacy could only watch with a somewhat worried frown and ran a hand through his blond hair. Minaka Hiroto was buying it, eating it up. And if could figure out who this Fox Ninja might be…god. The mysterious man saved his daughter…saved him! He is much more effective than fifty cops on the street! What could he do? Even if he could this man…how could he?

What he needed now is a man he could trust…but not have a lot of faith in. A good man, but a man whose not all that good. A straight cop, a clean cop, and a tough cop. A real go getter, but one who doesn't necessarily get anyplace…dedicated, but strictly by the clumsy book.

"Sgt. James, how are you feeling about the Fox Ninja today?"

Thomas James dropped the weights he was currently lifting and wiped the sweat on his forehead off with his shirt as he looked to Stacy. "The ninja? I wanna bust him, that's how I feel!" James scoffed and Stacy nodded his head.

"Then report to my office in five minutes."

"Eh?"

Yeah, he just found the perfect man.

"You're being tapped, Sgt. Thomas James, to serve as second in command, of the new vigilante task force." Stacy explained to him as he headed out while James began to lift his weights again with a grin.

"Yeah? Great!"

Blinded by a gutful of personal hate…and none too bright in the first place.

"Do you find this consulting fee, satisfactory, Dr. Hiroto?"

Minaka hummed to himself as he looked out the window of the mayor's office with a somewhat thoughtful expression. He then decided to give the man an answer, shaking his head a bit. "To the contrary, Mr. Mayor, it's a profound insult," he answered which surprised and confused the mayor who looked at him. "But I wholeheartedly accept!" Minaka grinned almost madly while the mayor still looked lost. "This…Fox Ninja, quite frankly, fascinates me. His case history, once it's been learned, could no doubt fill a book. A book all the more spectacular if I'm the one who writes it."

"You're accepting the consultant's job just so you can write a book?"

"Hmm, sort of yes." Minaka shrugged as he left the window to pace around the room a bit. "You see with my own growing company, MBI, money isn't really a matter of importance to me. The potential of a book is much more important, simply because this Fox Ninja himself…his psyche…is almost an obsession with me." Blasio still looked a bit confused as he began to get a cigar. "I look upon this opportunity as a busman's holiday. A fascinating, stimulating exercise. Furthermore, being chosen out of all the psychoanalysts in New York will hardly damage my reputation or name recognition."

"Well um…" Blasio then lit up his cigar. "Welcome aboard." He chuckled a bit uneasily. "Now I realize, you and Captain Stacy may not see eye to eye, but he's a good man," Blasio assured with Minaka humming in thought. "If you could just meet with him to discuss your theories-"

"Diagnoses, Mr. Mayor, not theories," Minaka corrected with a small smirk. "And before I venture any further deductions, I must first insist on full access to all police files," Minaka informed as he began to head out the room. "Everything known about the vigilante's tactics, methods and times and places of activity. As well as a generalized city wide data against which to correlate with my hypotheses and diagnoses. I'll leave a list with your secretary."

Blasio watched as Minaka made to leave the room and he just gave a somewhat confused nod. "And one last thing Mr. Mayor." Minaka paused before he left completely and turned to Blasio. "I report directly to you and not to Stacy." Blasio watched as Minaka Hiroto left his office and he couldn't help but grumble.

"What have I started?"

"I want you to prepare a list of ten plainclothes officers for my approval, Sgt. James."

James gave Stacy a dry look, as he smoked a cigarette in the man's office. "That's it?" he questioned with Stacy raising brow. "That's all you want me to do?" The captain gave a nod as he leaned back in his chair.

"A Task Force can't do much of anything, Thomas, until it's been formed, now can it?"

"I'll get your list," James grumbled quietly as he stood and left just as officer Robertson came in with a sheet of paper in his hand, heading to Stacy's desk. The Captain looked towards him expectantly and Robertson spoke.

"The Mayor's office wants everything on the Fox Ninja, Captain. And a list of New York's crime victims," this made Stacy's eyes widen just a bit. New York was a very big city…very big, and experienced crime on a daily basis!

"You mean every victim of every crime in-"

"Not every, no sir. Just muggings, murder and perhaps arson," Robertson answered as Stacy looked over the sheet of paper. "I think it's for that shrink, Minato hibata or something…"

"Hiroto," Stacy corrected as he hummed in thought. "And has he already zeroed in on every victim of mugging and murder?" with Robertson nodding his head.

"Yes sir. Every victim in the last five years."

For some reason, this made Stacy feel better. At least he's underestimated the extent of the Fox Ninja's obsession, a lifetime obsession. "They can tell Hiroto he'll have it by tomorrow." He's also underestimated the time necessary to prepare. In a mere five years, no man could become what this Fox Ninja is.

"And don't forget everything on the ninja vigilante, Captain. All nineteen alleged sightings to date, including last night." Robertson reminded and Stacy gave another nod. All the facts…but nothing of his suspicions. Stacy wondered how he had come to this time and place. And if in the end if he himself is not above the law, is this Fox ninja? And if he isn't…

…then what is he?

"He's a nightmare I tell ya!"

Bobby Wilson grumbled as he laid down a card as he sat in a warehouse with his boss and another buddy, playing solitaire while they ate. "He got one of our street dealers last night."

"So what? Streets full of punks. We'll get another."

"So what? So what if the punk talked Fish?! That's so what!"

"So if the Punk talked…" Fish grabbed his berretta and cocked it. "The Ninja punk comes here to this," Fish smirked. "It's time we cleaned the streets of them vigilante lawbreakers anyway." Fish then stood while Bobby frowned in thought as Fish dusted off his pin striped suit.

"Yeah, but what about the cops Fish? What if that punk dealer talked to them too?"

"The cops are in our pockets."

"Not this new guy, not Stacy."

"So he's new merchandise, so pay premium price," Fish shrugged.

"I'm saying, he ain't for sale," Harold muttered as he finished his meal. "Won't take a dime or dollar. And he screens his men," Harold informed with Fish rolling his eyes. These guys were sounding like a bunch of pussies. Anyone can be bought, all that mattered was the price. "There are guys who are real hard asses like Thomas James. Very ambitious, and he plays for keeps." Their attention was then given to the sound of a police siren not too far away and Harold frowned as he stood. "You hear that, Fish? Told ya our pocket's got a hole."

"Maybe, but only a small one," Fish brushed him off. "At least they're given us a warning, time to get outta here." Just as they were about to leave, the window suddenly shattered, and quickly Bobby grabbed his gun and began firing as wildly as he could.

"It's him! It's the Ninja punk!"

"Stop shooting you idiot!" Fish barked at Bobby as he hid behind a crate while grabbing his gun. "At least until you can see him!" Harold try to turn on the lights, but he couldn't.

"Shit! The lights! Somebody doused the lights!"

"Stay cool man!" Bobby tried as they were tried to stay even, but it was hard when there wasn't a sign at all about the this ninja guy. But then they both felt sharp pains in their hands…"YAAAAHH!" Bobby screamed with Harold, dropping their guns to see that they had what looked to be throwing stars piercing through their hands. "My fucking hand!"

"Hurt's doesn't it?" they heard, and that was the last thing they heard before both of them were knocked unconscious. Fish didn't see what happened, it was way too fast. He heard them scream, and by the time he looked, they were on the ground with bleeding hands. Then he saw something move from the corner of his eye, he quickly spun around and pointed his gun and fired…but he only hit the wall. Cursing under his breath he began to slowly walk towards the exit, but as he did so he could hear the voices of several cops rushing up the stairs, making him curse some more.

Then the cops burst in the room, and they saw a glint of white, "It is the Fox Ninja! SHOOT!" James roared as he had his men fire upon the white mask, while Fish was using this chance to get away. The cops couldn't see anything as they simply fired, but James knew better. Which made him somewhat dangerous in the red eyes of the shadows. "Fan out! Find him!"

But before anyone could do such a thing, smoke filled the air, making it thick and very hard to breathe. Everything was a blur from that point on, literally. As they coughed and choked, the shadows moved once again, taking down it's targets two at a time, leaving them unconsious. Just as they were about to move again, they heard the sound of a cocking gun. "Got you. You're mine now Ninja boy!"

"Kitsune." Was all James heard before he saw his target vanish before his very eyes, then felt a pain in the back of his neck. Darkness quickly swallowed his vision whole, and he fell to the ground unconscious like the others. The smoke soon dissipated and the masked assailant hummed, "Remember it." With that he turned away, entering the shadows once more.

Only trace of him, being the unconscious cops.

"How foolish…"

Walking down the street was a beautiful young woman who looked to be in her early twenties. She ignored the eyes that were focused purely on her, simply amazed by her beauty. The women admired her youthful beauty, the men lusted after it. The way her wavy platinum blond hair fell across her back, the way her somewhat pale skin looked so smooth. The way her blouse did nothing to cover the overall shape of her breasts, and her skirt did nothing but accentuate her curves and show off her fine legs. Her green eyes were beautiful despite the slight annoyance within them, and her lips were quite full and looked simply delectable as she pouted. This young woman was quite the stunner.

As she walked down the street, she was currently looking at her phone, reading upon a certain newsletter which grinded her gears just a bit. She rolled her eyes, and put her phone back into her purse as she opened a door and walked in. Upon walking in eyes were immediately on her, and she felt the need to button up her blouse a bit. The eyes of virgin nerds always managed to creep her out a bit. They were most likely wondering why she was currently in their sanctum of nerdiness.

Their sanctum of nerdiness? A café which was a comic book store and a video game store, a movie store and a lot of other things as well. It was quite a decent space. Not too far from her were the shelves. One section for the video games of all the systems, new and old. Another section of the different genre's of movies, quite a big selection. And the third section which was quite large section of comic books; american, japanese, chinese etc. it was all the same to her, and others like her.

On the other side of the store were several lounging chairs, tables, computer stations, where people were hanging out at. She spotted some simply reading comics, others playing card games, and more at the computers. Then there was a lounging area where some people were playing against each other on either the playstation, Wii or Xbox, having competitive fun as they were doing so. Stationed around the store were several registers. Lastly was the bar which had a few people currently at. Behind it was a few coffee makers, smoothie makers, a fridge, and a counter for different kind of snacks. Lastly was the kitchen which had a few people in the back currently cooking something delicious that permeated during the air. The famous Ramen the place was known for. Music was also playing quietly in the background, a rather good mix of genres. Honestly, despite it being nerd heaven, The Whirlpool it is really peaceful and upbeat.

As she walked up to the bar, her attention was given to one of the television screens that was currently playing the news. Her eyes narrowed as she saw the familiar reporter, Margie Hanes. " 'The one crime the Fox Ninja can never stop' Dr. Minaka Hiroto stated today 'Is the one that started him.' What that crime may have been is unknown, but the famed psychiatrist believes it holds the key to the dark vigilante's true identity." Margie spoke into the camera. "Dr. Hiroto's speculates: 'In all probability it was a crime of extreme violence. I'm certain blood was involved. Which was committed in darkness."

"What a hack…" she heard whispered from a few other people around her, but she was still focused on the screen.

"Consultant to the Mayor's vigilante Task Force, Hiroto has unique access to police data and feels confident he can identify 'the catalytic crime and thereby the resulting man himself.'" She then looked at her notes with a small smile, "Up next! The new Cat burglar: Now two creatures of the night prowl New York…"

"As if!"

"Felicia, what a surprise." she heard and turned to see a very handsome blond man come from the back with a dazzling smile. Felicia Hardy couldn't help but smile upon seeing the man, admiring his handsomeness as one always should. His wild golden blond hair, those piercing powerful blue eyes; that dazzling perfectly straight white smile, those lips, that tan…his wonderful lean muscled sculpted body. Oh…he was just amazing, so close to perfect. Those whisker marks on his cheeks just added to his handsomeness, giving him a factor of adorableness and exotic.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Felicia greeted as she pulled him into a hug, making sure to press her bust against his chest as well as inhale his oh so amazing scent. His natural body aroma was stunning and his choice of cologne was just sent his smell to the top. Not too much, not too little. Just right. Feeling his muscled chest against her own just made her nipples get hard in her bra. After a moment she pulled away, giving him a sultry smile, the two of them perfectly aware, but not caring in the least of the eyes that were currently on them. "I missed you last night."

"Really? My bad," Naruto chuckled as he scratched the back of his head a bit sheepishly as she gave him a small pout. "I had something I needed to take care of, and I wasn't expecting company," he threw out with Felicia humming with a curious eye. "I'm happy to see you're back in New York. Still looking amazing I see," He grinned which made her roll her eyes playfully. "I'm not doing anything later, maybe we can grab dinner or something," he offered with a smile. Felicia perked upon hearing this, a free meal with this handsome stud? Totally.

"I would love that actually," Felicia grinned as Naruto smiled with a nod. "So I should expect you at my place later tonight then?" Naruto nodded his head with Felicia trying her best not to outbreak in a fit of excited giggles. "Well then here's where I'm staying for now," Felicia said grabbing a napkin then a pen from her purse and writing down her address. "I'll be seeing you soon, Mr. Whirlpool," Felicia winked as she gave him the napkin, then laid a kiss on his cheek. She turned, walking out of the café. Naruto then felt a nudge and glanced to see a young man who looked to be a junior in high school.

"Who was that Naruto?"

"That, Peter my friend, was Felicia Hardy," Naruto grinned a bit as he looked to where the beautiful woman left. He then ran a hand through his hair before taking a breath, what a beauty. "Anyway, finish your ramen Parker, you know my rules," Naruto patted Peter on the back before he headed to a register to ring up a customer. "How come no one is on registers!"

"Sorry! Sorry!"