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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 19

Marco's eyes saw red.

He may have felt something like this before.

Edward is being cocky and attacked a promising captain by the name of Sengoku. As expected, the rascal bites more than he can chew and was overwhelmed by the marine's desire to uphold justice.

Something similar.

A finishing blow that should have taken the pirate's life and yet…

After he arrives on the scene, he saw the children and his Naruto surrounded by hundreds of snakes.

As expected for any Conqueror, animals tried to avoid him (especially in his current condition) and these damn pests scattered away after they sensed his arrival. Those unfortunate enough died by his sharp talons.

But the bastard who targeted the children - for whatever reason - escaped. With his favorite kunoichi missing.

Fuck it!

Growling murderously, he tried to follow their bond knowing that the surrounding forest interferes with his senses, and possibly Naruto's… so he tried real hard to reign in his temper lest he frighten the children.

But the fact remains, he is furiously mad. He is-

"Marco-san!"

Giving the caller a baleful stare, the female ANBU (Haku did advise him to call them by their code names judging by the design of their masks) who faithfully followed him through the forest - stands firm beside Sasuke and Sakura who awaits their next move.

"I know you are worried. But until we can locate her, you need to calm yourself…"

"I am calm!" He is perfectly composed. His voice betrays no emotion and thankfully controlled his haki just so. The rest of Team 7 did look at one another worriedly.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he breathes deeply and turned to look at the two genins ignoring the other shinobi standing beside them.

"The two of you looks like shit, yoi," Eyeing Sakura's new hairstyle and the scrapes surrounding their bodies especially the wound on Sasuke's leg, Marco noted drily with mild interest thinking what kind of injuries his human received for this particular debacle.

The pinkette did gave him a tired smile as the teme, ah Sasuke muttered something incomprehensible. Crossing his arms, he looked at the boy and urges him to speak up.

.

Biting his lips, almost drawing blood, Sasuke clenched his fists in anger. Berating himself.

Why? Why is he so weak?

Remembering that day, he couldn't imagine why the universe hated him.

Why did he let him live…

"Sasuke!"

Startled, the Uchiha looks at Marco in surprise. The Phoenix sighed and places his hand over raven locks.

"You cannot blame yourself. It's…"

"He's after me!" Sasuke blurted out as he turned his back after removing Marco's hands away. He noticed Sakura being gestured by the female ANBU with her gloved hands glowing with healing chakra. Adding in a tone full of self hatred which is clearly noticeable by the ever observant eyes of the blonde before him, Sasuke avoided Marco's gaze. "That man took her because of me. Because he wanted to remind me my mission…"

"Your mission, yoi?"

The last Uchiha gritted his teeth but never gave his answer. Sasuke sends the pirate one regretful look and activated his sharingan. "I will try to track her chakra signature. Follow me…"

.

Sakura worriedly turns and looked at Marco for guidance. The Phoenix did frown in response to the younger boy's reaction and motioned for the girl to follow the Uchiha into the foliage.

Scrutinizing Sasuke's retreating back, Marco taps the inside of his crossed arms in a thoughtful manner.

"Tell me, Neko-san…" The female ANBU stills upon being addressed. He kind of knew what their protocol entails - any shinobi from their ranks and on duty must not interact with their charges. Haku did gave them a rundown of how a hidden shinobi village runs itself, even their ninjas and their responsibilities. But- "…was it really that bad, yoi?"

.

These pirates, particularly this one, just couldn't stop himself for caring, Uzuki Yūgao noted bemusedly. "It is…" With a sigh, she prepares a hand sign and disappears in smoke and leaves after giving the information the Phoenix needed. "It was Uchiha-san's older brother."

He looks after the people who is precious to his Naruto.

But what she heard from the pirate did gave her something to think about.

'Seems like Konoha does keep skeletons in her closet, hmm?'

What does he mean by that?

.

.

As Naruto felt the Phoenix's overwhelming presence (oh dear, he is fumingly mad), she couldn't stop herself from grinning widely.

But then a few of these stupid snakes surrounded her arms and legs.

Not before she saw Marco's terrified reaction when she felt herself being dragged somewhere away from her team.

Far away from her Phoenix.

And then darkness surrounded her vision.

.

As Naruto reopened her eyes, she found herself tied to a tree with the traitorous bastard sending off one of his snakes with a scroll being swallowed by its mouth.

"Ah good, your awake…"

"Let me go, you bastard!"

Clucking his tongue in a reprimanding manner, Orochimaru turns and gave her a condescending look.

"Where are your manners, child…"

Growling in response, Naruto struggles within her bindings trying to free herself especially when she felt Marco's worry thru their bond. "I'm an orphan, asshole!"

With a smile that is more malicious than anyone she knew, she stills when he responded to her statement.

"Oho? And what about that pirate, hmm? Did he ever teach you to respect your elders?" With a sigh, he added with a knowing look as he observes her darkening reaction, "I suppose expecting something good from those kind of people is a letdown…"

.

Two blood red eyes opened from the shadows as it felt the turmoil Uzumaki Naruto suddenly felt.

Fear.

Anger.

Hatred.

Huffing in annoyance, nine enormous tails surround its form ignoring the trail of chakra pouring out in between the bars of its prison towards the center.

Wondering what the brat will do with all this negative emotions.

Hmmm.

.

"What did you just said?"

Fascinated, he saw the girl losing her composure as red chakra started to surround her body. Her eyes turned slitted with her whisker marks a bit thicker.

"Don't talk as if you know HIM!"

The girl is starting to fuse with the kyuubi's chakra as her bindings started to melt.

Something that can pose as a threat to his plans. Or something he can use to his advantage.

The Sharingan's evolution, the Mangekyo.

With that in mind, he prepares a Five Element Seal and applies it to counter the girl's own Four Symbols Seal and disrupts the flow of her chakra.

The girl cried in pain as her own and the fox's chakra stops abruptly.

Like a pond of water blocked by a large boulder.

Cackling madly, Orochimaru releases his bindings and the girl fell like a rag. Strangely enough, she still has the strength (albeit a little) to move away from him and tried to get up.

An evidence of her Uzumaki lineage. He got this feeling that he probably knew who her mother is.

Regardless, he will make sure that her suffering will push the boy to his limits. Grabbing a handful of her hair, the Sannin whispered something to her ear and then kicks the jinchūriki towards the river. The stream will take her to his chosen rendezvous point.

The rest of his minions knows what to do next.

With that in mind, he allows the shadows to swallow him. His anticipation bubbling in the surface like second skin.

And because of his presence in this forest, his former student is on her way to 'greet' him. Perhaps reminding her ownership will satisfy his annoyance from failing to mark his prey.

Ah.

It is only a matter of time.

.

.

Marco stills when he felt something so terribly wrong.

It was like…

"Marco, what's the matter?" The pinkette asks worriedly.

Even Sasuke stops and pales considerably after seeing his reaction.

Their bond closed off unexpectedly.

It was like she died.

Denial bubbles within his very being for the said thought.

Nonono!

Ignoring the children's attempt to call his attention, he transformed into his full Phoenix form and flew upwards.

Zooming into the sky, Marco spread his wings and followed his senses.

Disregarding the breathtaking scenery this particular forest offers, its beauty lies within a cacophony of discord and a pitiful attempt to mask the dangers one could ever imagine.

Just like the dangers the New World has to offer with her islands and the ever changing weather.

But-

No matter what it takes, he will find her. Even if he needs to turn the entire forest upside down. Or burn everything to ashes.

'Stay strong for me, Naruto. I'm coming.'

.

.

When Naruto woke up the second time that day, she did felt like flying. Er floating.

Like someone is carrying her.

Did Marco and the others found her already? Trying to identify the scent of the person carrying her… ah.

The smell is all wrong.

She did remember the sensation. Of sand and teal colored eyes. Wait! What the-

Abruptly, she attempted to move surprising the one who is carrying her which is no other than Gaara himself.

Accidentally hitting him in the face, the blonde pales after seeing the bruise on the redhead's chin.

"Ah, I'm so very sorry… G-gaara-san, I d-didn't…"

Remembering that days event and the worry she felt for Marco, the blonde jinchūriki could not stop her tears from falling.

The Sand genin frowned upon seeing her cry wondering why he felt troubled for her unexpected reaction.

Strange.

Wiping her tears away, the girl continues to snuffle a little ignoring the pain in her gut. Looking behind him, Naruto couldn't find his teammates.

"They're already in the tower." Gaara answered as if predicting her question. What?!

Her mouth agape, the girl observes the boy standing before her.

"Oh."

Gaara did notice their onlookers that continues to shadow them. Earlier, they were about to take her away, but his arrival stopped whatever plans they may have. Perhaps he needed to-

"Don't…"

Giving the girl an unreadable look, she returned it with a thankful smile and a gentle pat on his hands.

"I've already imposed on you - for helping me back there. I can't…," Taking a deep breath, Naruto bowed her head in gratitude and gave him a warm smile. "I can't drag you further into my mess. And thanks for saving me earlier." Stepping away from the boy, the blonde was about to leave when Gaara took her hand.

It wasn't painful. Entirely different from his previous attempt to touch her the day they first met. And what he said didn't even surprise her. Chuckling in response, she nodded in acquiesce and gave the redhead a quick kiss on the cheeks ignoring his surprised gaze.

Naruto left the boy behind to face the the threat hanging on her head with his words ringing in her ears.

'I will be the one to kill you… so do not die.'

Right. What is it with her 'existence' that attract so many weirdos.

Uh, Marco isn't one. So yeah. He is an exemption.

.

.

Lee is running a far ahead of his team when he noticed a streak of yellow rushing in great speed and was followed closely behind by three unknown assailants.

Could it be?

"What's the matter, Lee?" Tenten asks curiously after she nimbly avoided a branch he accidentally broken from his jump.

Politely waving off her concern, he decided to investigate and requested a few minutes of his own to his team. Neji did look at him suspiciously but huffs in agreement as he took a seat from his own branch.

"Make it quick. And don't let us bail you out, understand?"

With a grin, he gave his friend (despite the continued denial the Hyūga feels for their so-called relationship) a thumbs up and disappears to follow his new acquaintance deeper into the forest.

Lee got this feeling that she is in trouble and she's facing them on her own (wondering where the rest of her team are). Despite it all, he wanted to see what she can do.

After he carefully approaches the location where they are gathered, he watches how she valiantly fought her opponents all by herself. Despite being outnumbered, she outsmarted them with various traps.

But… it wasn't enough.

The shinobis from Otogakure played with her like she was nothing.

Lee was about to interfere especially when he saw one of the genins took out a kunai. And then he heard her resolve.

"You can beat me all you want… but I'm not going down without a fight!"

Because of that declaration, Lee came to her aid with vigor and style.

He almost did saved her.

However, their attackers are so focused on hurting her.

Making her bleed.

And since they use long range ninjutsu, his counterattacks are very limited.

"Don't drag him into this, you bastards!" Ignoring the cuts and bruises she sustained, the blonde tried to protect him.

Ah. Such strength.

And when he was about to meet his end, another group of genins came.

He remembers them from Tenten's musings, the Ino-Shika-Chō trio of the current generation.

Thanking their lucky stars, Lee took the Akamichi's offered hand as they walked towards the others giving the opposing team a united front.

But despite the three's arrival, the one called Zaku attacks fearlessly.

.

Naruto grits her teeth in anger.

Why?

Why did they came here?

This is her fight. They shouldn't involved themselves in the first place.

But the idiot tried to use his airwaves technique again. Knowing that the bowler-head guy and Team 10 won't be able to dodge in time, she uses her body after pushing Ino out of the way and blocks his attack with one of her own.

Damn it hurts.

Bracing for impact, the blonde tried to cover her head to avoid further damage to her person (ignoring the wounds she have gotten earlier and the constant pain in her gut) . She could not even stop the ringing in her ears courtesy of the other girl's bells from their earlier skirmish.

It was already too late to notice Shikamaru's worried call when a hand grabs her neck in a chokehold.

His eyes mocking as he looked down at her (just like that snake bastard), the older boy tightens his grip and Naruto felt her lungs started to burn in pain.

Her vision darkening.

And yet.

She isn't scared. At. All.

All she ever wanted was to see him again.

'Marco…'

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Interlude: Neji

When Lee left, he motioned for Tenten with a practiced hand sign so that they can follow their bothersome teammate from afar.

He still cannot understand the interest the other boy show towards the village's pariah.

Oh he knew about her. That Uzumaki Naruto.

There is nothing really special about her.

Especially during the first stage. He was able to glimpse at her answers and they do not make any sense at all.

Then the way she expand her senses during the second stage to familiarize herself with everyone's chakra - something that he never knew she can do.

But due to some damnable luck, she was targeted by these people. And regardless of how she fought back (and Lee's intervention), it wasn't enough.

Headstrong and persistent as she is, he can respect how she faced her enemies with a determined look in her eyes.

Tenten did gasp in shock knowing that a fellow Konoha kunoichi is in danger. She'll probably curse him if he decided not to interfere at all. Well, he is about to. But then another batch of rookies came.

Despite their best efforts, the ninjas from Oto is far more experienced than a regular genin. Which is something to worry about for later. Overwhelmed, they still fail to make a stand.

However, she still won't give up and protected the Yamanaka heiress when the other blonde was attacked.

Tch. This girl.

He really wonders if she is someone to watch out for.

How very annoying.

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Author's note:
Uh. Sorry?

Hope you enjoy this new chapter.

Just need to post this one up before going to work. So yeah.

Dedicated to WhiteyWolf26. Cheers!

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