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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 12
Now that the one-week wait is over, Team 7 accompanied Tazuna-san to his work in full ninja gears.
Naruto should be coming as well. But Kakashi lets her sleep as she trained again last night until the wee hours of the morning.
Her endless supply of shadow clones also helped with the building much to the fascination of the villagers.
While Marco?
Well… he is keeping his distance which makes everything too awkward despite Thatch's frustration. The two older men know that the Phoenix is watching from afar whenever the children are training (especially Naruto).
While the blonde kunoichi is still not talking to the teen although she stole glances at Marco when the said pirate isn't looking. The Uchiha is starting to get irritated though.
Thatch did promise Kakashi to guard Tsunami and Inari in case of a possible attempt against their lives.
"Alright everyone," Kakashi started as he gathered his team outside while waiting for Tazuna. "If our calculations are correct, Zabuza and his accomplice will probably attack anytime today, so…"
Huffing in acknowledgment, Sasuke gave a nondescript smirk. Thankfully, Sakura no longer squeals like a fan girl (the only thing he can appreciate from the Phoenix's interference for stealing his genins that one time). The pinkette did set her jaw firm and nodded confidently.
"Alright, let's move out."
"Hai."
.
.
When Naruto woke up, she thought that they're back in Konoha with Marco sleeping soundly beside her in his phoenix form.
But she's all alone.
Then she remembers that she is in Tazuna-jiji's house.
And that she is currently ignoring Marco. Not that she is mad at him. But… yeah, right.
Ah. She did hear some shuffling outside.
Palming her face knowing that she overslept with all her leftover gears in her person, she threw away her blanket and silently approaches the window to assess the situation. Thatch and the bridge builder's daughter are being held by some goons while Inari is trying to do something.
Knowing that it won't end well, she prepared a replacement to save the boy and attacks prompting Thatch to move as well.
It was over real quick.
"That was awesome, Thatch-san!" Eyes wide with wonder, Naruto could not believe how fast the man moved. It was like, swoosh! And then the bad guys holding him down fell one after the other.
Beaming proudly, the pirate laughs in response and glances at the mother and son duo who wrapped each other with a comforting embrace.
"Go on. I can take it from here…," Thatch said as he gave a gentle pat on her head.
Nodding, Naruto turned towards the direction of the bridge and was about to rush onward and help the others.
"Oh and Naruto-chan…"
Naruto held her breath, and she might have already anticipated what he is about to say.
"Marco may be an idiot when it comes to words since he lived far much longer than both of our ages combined. And that he could have forgotten what it was like…"
Huh?
"The thing is…," Giving the blonde kunoichi a kind smile, Thatch knelt and looks at her. She squirmed slightly but Naruto held her ground. "Marco really does care for you…"
With a nod, the girl gave him a skeptical look.
"He may not remember how to react like a normal human being but with your special bond, I'm certain that the two of you will be able to figure it out… eventually." The latter added as an afterthought and the girl scowls at him in response.
Right.
.
.
Just as Naruto arrives at the bridge, she saw an ice made dome shatter with teme's katon jutsu imbued with Marco's bluish like flames. However…
As the smoke slightly cleared out, she saw Marco turn to look at her briefly (for whatever reason, he can always sense and find her). The Phoenix smiled affectionately at her.
And then he fell.
At that exact second, Uzumaki Naruto's whole world stopped spinning.
At the dark corners of her mind, slitted blood red eyes opens.
'Finally.'
.
.
Interlude: Inari 3
"I'm sorry…"
"Hmm?"
Inari clutches his own fingers as he apologizes to the pirate.
He found Marco sitting by the docks as the teen watches the sunset with both feet dangling closely above the waters. Hesitantly the boy approaches the pirate after Thatch's urging.
"I-i…"
"You don't really need to apologize, yoi." The blonde patted the empty spot beside him, urging the boy to sit. "Although I'm not the one you need to talk to or ask forgiveness from…"
"Well, I…"
"She's not going to bite…"
"Hell yeah! I'm not a dog ya know!"
Inari went rigid but looks at the other blonde fearfully who suddenly appeared out of nowhere from his right.
For whatever reason, she's looking at him curiously. Sweat started trickling from the side of his face.
Minutes pass by, and they started to hear the crickets sang their song. After Marco chuckles in amusement, he bolted out. He did turn back and saw Naruto scratching her head in confusion.
"I didn't scare him right?"
"Perhaps you did, yoi."
"Waaah?! No I didn't! And stop laughing at me you overgrown chicken!"
"Seriously, yoi. Thatch is a very bad influence. I suggest you avoid him… at all costs."
"Huh? Why?"
The teen ruffled the girl's already wild tresses in response.
"Trust me on this one, yoi."
"Buut Marcooo… you are not making any sense."
Inari really thought that she's not taking everything seriously. Girls. Ugh.
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Author's note:
Editing and posting via my devices are so weird. Ouch! So yeah. A bit of short unlike the previous chapter. Uhm, sorry?
Anyhow, thanks for everything.
Cheers!
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