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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.
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Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li
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Part 9
Arriving at the bridge builder's house comforted Marco as they are welcomed by Tazuna's family. That way, baka-Kakashi can recuperate.
Despite his idiocy for being trapped (even allowing the children especially his Naruto) to interfere their fight, the Phoenix almost assisted the jōnin against the missing Kiri-nin.
But his human held him back thru their bond.
And she fought so well that it terrified him to an extent. Sasuke helped so it did make matters a bit more acceptable. And Sakura guarded the bridge builder while he watches real close - ready to interfere if needed (Kakashi just have to deal with it but he will never allow the children especially his blonde to get hurt if he can still prevent it).
After the interference of another suspicious looking ninja, the bastard fainted after exhausting his chakra.
Probably because of those flashy ninja techniques he used and that red swirly eyes of his (Marco does admit that the bastard's eyes reminded him more of Mihawk's eyes). While Sasuke is already quite livid on how his sensei got their clan's dōjutsu. He did reprimand the boy to stay calm and…
"M-marco?!"
His heart stopped upon hearing that voice.
It can't be…
"Oh my god! Why are you in that form? Smaller? And why are you sitting on that girl's shoulders?!" The voice exclaimed outrageously who tried to grab him away from Naruto.
But her reflexes and worry after sensing the phoenix's confusion led her to raise her arm defensively preventing anyone from coming near. She took a few steps back away from the group - ready to bolt out if needed.
"Hold it right there, mister!" Tugging Marco close to her chest, Naruto glares at the man who made her friend uncomfortable. For whatever reason, she could feel his confusion, pain and… happiness?
The said man is taller than Marco (remembering the first time she saw his real adult form) and very well built. He also has a scar under his left eye. His features are softer (hmm, kinder) against the Phoenix's aristocratic ones (nope, her Marco may look snobbish at first glance but one would say that he is one elegant creature - he's a freaking phoenix for crying out loud).
But no matter.
Until she can determine this 'threat', she will not let him approach her friend. "It's alright, yoi…" The blonde can see the tears in his eyes. It made her fluster more. "I know him."
With a shaky breath, Marco turned and looked at the man who came to welcome them. Seems like Tazuna does have a lot to answer for alright. "He is Thatch, my closest friend and fellow commander…"
Oh.
.
.
After they settled in with Kakashi-sensei using one of the extra futons to rest in Tazuna-jiji's spare room, she urges Marco to go and talk to his friend. Hesitantly, he flew towards Thatch's shoulders after the said man placed a full tray of meal that they can share with everyone. He did gave her a warm smile.
"Nothing to worry about, missy. I'm just borrowing this bird-brain bloke for a little while…" Sasuke chokes on his drink after hearing the name-calling. But Marco glared though. It did lift her spirits for a bit. "And return him after… ouch! Oh alright! Will you stop pecking on me you feathered mongrel, jeez!"
Sakura and Tazuna did laugh at their antics.
After the two left, Naruto heard how the bridge builder found a half-dead man floating near the foundation of the very structure he is trying to build.
A wound that should have ended his life but miraculously survives anyway.
It was the very same bridge that will help his country from Gatō's tyrannical rule.
It does made her happy knowing that Marco is no longer alone.
And yet it scares her. That their time together is…
"Maybe you should give him a little more credit than what is needed, dobe." Glancing at her sideways, the Uchiha commented as he finishes his tea and places it down beside his empty plate (almost everyone are finished with their own servings). "He is an annoying bastard that does care for you regardless of what shape or form he uses."
Smiling gratefully at him, Naruto started eating. The meal Marco's friend prepared are really delicious. Hopefully this little act of hers wasn't noticed by the bird er phoenix ah teen in question. It really is confusing how to label Marco. Argh.
Hoping may be a strong word.
.
.
"Alright." Thatch started as he held him in arm's length just in case he chooses to bail out. "No one is here and I did ask Inari-kun to watch over them. By the way, that's the boy from the docks and Tazuna-san's grandson. Now can you transform back so that we can talk? I have so many things to say and…" Giving his friend the usual glare, whacked him in the head with a wing and settled comfortably in one of the boulders littered in that clearing.
"Yes, we do need to talk… especially now, yoi."
Eyes wide with his mouth gaping like a fish, Thatch does mimic the said animal perfectly.
"W-what?! You can talk? In your phoenix form?! Since when? What on earth…"
Shrugging dismissively, Marco decided to show him another surprise. Allowing his flames to surround his person, he presented his 'current' form.
"What the fuck! You turned into an infant! H-how?"
Throwing a piece of rock at him, Marco crosses his arms frustratingly and waited for his friend to calm down. A baby? As in seriously?
30 minutes has passed as he lets the man walked out his shock from seeing the changes. Hilarious really.
"All good, yoi?"
"Yeah." Breathing heavily and taking another large gulp of air, Thatch suddenly approaches him and hugged him to death. The idiot.
"All better."
With a small smile of his own, he returned his embrace finally letting his panicking heart to calm down especially when he heard Thatch's own heartbeat. That his friend is alive and well.
Yeah, everything is going to be alright.
Now, he need to make sure that his human won't think of herself as someone insignificant.
Even from here, he can feel his Naruto's worry thru their bond.
Damn it.
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Author's note:
Yosh! Will try to be on time this time. Er. Yeah.
And for someone who hates 'garbage', he or she does love to leave reviews on how they hated stories like this. Twice. So yep. Whatever.
Anyhow, thanks again for being with me up to this time. Appreciate the patience you guys have for this story and yours truly of course.
Hope you like this new chapter no matter how 'trashy' it is.
Cheers!
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