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Summary:
To save everyone, Marco used his current existence. Never did he imagine that he will be reborn to a new world different from his own. It is a world filled with ninjas and creatures as large as Sea Kings that are made of pure living chakra. What can a pirate like him do to survive especially if he is a freaking bird? Thatch is right; he does look like a chicken. And a certain blue-eyed blonde is thinking of him as her new pet.

Disclaimer:
Standard disclaimer applies. So yeah.

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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li

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Part 5

Last night's event was so surreal.

Naruto wondered if it really happened. The unknown man who came to save them disappeared without a trace.

Then Marco flew towards her and she hugs him real tight (the bird even allowed it). She's relieved to know that it was him who called for Iruka-sensei's attention.

And despite their assurances, she worries.

Clutching her pillow ignoring the not so familiar scent, the blonde burrows further into it. But a displeased noise (and slight pecking) woke her up. Like always, she fell flat on her face after realizing that it was Marco she is trying to squeeze to his death. Oops?

Giving her an unimpressed stare, the bird started preening his feathers and she responded grumpily at him.

"You're going to be late, yoi."

Sticking her tongue out in response, Naruto prepared their breakfast.

"I wonder who my teammates are…"

Glancing at her from the corner of his eyes, Marco shrug his shoulders dismissively (it puzzles her how the said animal can do that) and ate his noodles.

The said bird demanded a change of variety and requested a few noodles of her instant ramen (and some broth) instead of bread. Hana even looked at him incredulously after she mentioned his request.

"If your team gave you hard time, let me know. I'll handle them, yoi."

Rolling her eyes at him, Naruto finishes her meal and took to the roof via her window to travel faster after giving him a pat as she walked past him. Hoping to avoid Iruka-sensei's scolding for the last time, the blonde smiled after remembering her newly learned skills (she did manage to learn something new from that blasted scroll).

Despite being a bird (she and Kiba's older sister still doesn't know what breed he is), Marco also taught her a few things after observing the entirety of the village and its inhabitants (mostly the shinobi ones) for a few days. His lips er beaks are sealed when she repeatedly asks him how he passes his free time.

One could say that he is one nosy 'pet'.

And a very good friend.

She no longer considers him as the animal who knows how to talk (that is really a surprise mind you since he denies being anyone's summon) which she had found accidentally and trying to nurture until he can fly freely again. And despite the fear that he'll need to leave eventually, Naruto will treasure every minute of their time together.

Ignoring Sakura and Ino's bantering at the door, she greeted Hinata with a cheery wave (she may ask Marco later on how they can help the kind Hyūga build her confidence) and sat on her usual seat, ignoring her seat mate's glare. Taking the journal Marco forced her to carry everywhere, she reread the tips and tricks he noted thru her barely acceptable penmanship (even if he can talk, those wings can't hold a pen) very carefully in case of-

"That's my seat, so go away!"

"NO! That's mine!"

Aha! She need to make a few changes here and-

A hand grabs her pen away and the entire class finally noticing the commotion in front of them have stopped their chattering to watch what her reaction is going to be.

Taking one deep breath, Naruto gathered her thoughts and looks at Sakura as she held her hand, "May I have my pen back, please?"

As she cannot imitate Marco's eyes, she settled for something 'Naruto-ish'. Calmly, she waited and felt the pinkette waver a bit. But…

"Stop hogging Sasuke-kun all to yourself!" Wait, what?

Returning Ino's determined gaze after the other blonde blurted out those words, Naruto started laughing out loud and stood to her full height. Sakura may have drop her pen in surprise but she hastily catches it.

Leaning callously at the table, Naruto turns to look at the topic of this ridiculous conversation, tapping the pen on her chin trying to understand how worthless their discussion is.

"Hey teme!" Stopping herself from chuckling, her expression is a bit lighter and she could not stop her amusement from showing through.

Her appearance from another's perspective, entirely different.

One did taught of it as, pleasant.

Appealing even.

"Since when are you owned by someone other than your own 'magnificent' self, hmm?"

Uchiha Sasuke grunted annoyingly in response and looks away. Hoping that the slight blush he felt when watching the blonde's expression and how she interacted with his rabid fangirls else entirely.

But some did see it and one of the said observer decided that he does not like it at all.

Then a flustered Iruka just came into the room and the boy sitting in front of Naruto bolted up in surprise hitting the table behind him jostling the blonde's unsteady lean. Failing to hold her ground (she is not clumsy damn it), Naruto yelps and topples over. Eyes widening alarmingly, she saw twin black orbs returning her gaze with a dash of his own panic.

Seconds later and time stopped.

Then there was a flurry of blue feathers blocking Naruto's view.

"Oomph! M-marco?! What the heck?!"

Before the Uchiha can grab and throw her bird away while the said animal aimed his sharp talons towards the boy, Naruto snatches Marco back and holds his beak as he attempted to peck Sasuke's face.

"Not again, you two!"

Huh? Marco and teme knew each other?

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Rubbing the bridge of his nose to ease the ongoing headache of dealing with Mizuki's mess (and the bird's crazy antics), the scarred chūnin glared wordlessly at everyone (including the avian himself) to sort themselves out forcing Ino to sit two rows up as Sakura already took the vacant seat next to Naruto.

Petting to calm the murderous bird and removing the feathers she accidentally took into her mouth, Naruto did taste a bit of ash with the smell of the salty sea.

Interesting combination. So that's what Marco smells like, wow.

"Alright everyone, listen up," Iruka explained that the selection for that years graduates will comprise of three genin for each squad and are going to be assigned under the tutelage of a jōnin who will then oversee their training.

After giving the children a few parting words, he dismissed them for lunch and to return later on the same room after an hour to wait for their assigned jōnin-sensei.

Taking the stuff he brought in earlier, he waited until his former students piled out. Thankfully, the bird already calmed down but Marco continues to glare daggers towards Sasuke with the latter returning it with a look of his own. Iruka chuckled and gave a parting wave at Naruto wishing the girl lots of good luck.

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Lunch did went well despite Sakura's rejection. Marco's eye squinted dangerously at the girl but Naruto dismissed her actions like it was nothing unusual.

Sasuke (perhaps to taunt him even more), accepted his Naruto's invitation. Despite the tension between them, his blonde is oblivious and continues to chat with her new teammate and including him in the conversation like always.

Ugh.

And in the span of three hours after returning back to the classroom with the others being picked up by their own jōnin-sensei's one after the other until they are the only group left, the Phoenix already devised 32 ways to kill this 'Hatake Kakashi'.

The man wasted his (or rather their) time by observing the children (and perhaps him as well) while reading a stupid book completely hidden from the three genins.

An illusion perhaps?

Naruto who had grown familiar with his haki (despite not explaining what it is yet) slept while petting him. She knew that if she releases her hold, he might probably attack someone. Which is quite true.

Somehow, he learned to ignore the Uchiha who continues to brood on his own while the pinkette stares forlornly at them after their arrival especially when the boy decided to sit beside Naruto again. Spiteful brat.

"Is he here yet?" His blonde asks sleepily raising her head to look at the clock.

"Hn." The boy doesn't seem to care but he did frown irritatingly at the door.

"Maybe something came up?" Sakura added and blushes when three eyes (two humans - three if we'll include the jōnin in hiding and one animal who is technically a human in disguise) stared at her as if she'd grown a second head or whatever.

Preparing kill # 33, Marco finally sensed the man's movement. Nudging Naruto, the girl quickly glances at the other two and back at him. With a slight nod, she grins mischievously and took a chalkboard eraser to prepare a welcoming surprise for their tardy jōnin-sensei.

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Now that he got a good look at the man, Marco scoffed internally and transferred to Naruto's shoulders. They went up the roof to briefly introduce one another with their dreams and plans for the future. That is after he gave an assessing bored look towards the children.

Listening to the dreams of the other two puts some perspective in his ever observant eyes. The pink haired banshee can still be worked out. But the Uchiha brat is slightly alarming.

While his blonde… "My dream to be a better person for my precious people…" Pausing slightly, Naruto smiled upon remembering something. It was her real one and not the mask she often shows to all these people. "To live my life with purpose and-"

"I thought your dream is to become Hokage?" Sakura interrupted and Marco could not stop himself but snaps at her but Naruto patted him absentmindedly and glances at the other girl.

"Well, if I am strong enough to be recognized as one, why not?" Placing both hands behind her head as Marco transfers to another perch, she added with humor. "Being Hokage means I can protect them better which is soo cool. Oh and my other dream is to help Marco find his family again…"

Seriously, his Naruto is making things more difficult.

But all the Phoenix felt at that moment is… happiness.

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Author's note:
Thanks for reading everyone.

Cheers!

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