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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 20
In Team 7's designated training grounds, one hour before the start of the Chūnin Selection Exams…
"Alright…" Both hands on her hips, Naruto positioned herself firmly on top of the wooden posts. "Listen up, both of you…"
"Is this really necessary?" Sasuke interjected but he was silenced with a glare by their other teammate. He does not know if he will feel relieved for Sakura's change of heart (or her so-called admiration towards him) and her newfound determination to train harder and become a better shinobi.
The pinkette did pull out her own notepad and pen, ready to jot down whatever nonsense the dobe wanted to say before the start of the exams.
"Yes, it is absolutely necessary." Sakura commented without looking at him. With a sigh, he turned his attention in front to observe the bimbo standing before them. He might have squawk in surprise (he didn't shriek, mind you) as he found Naruto staring right at him, downright serious with a determined tilt of her mouth.
Thankfully, Marco is nowhere in sight. Pushing the blonde farther away from his face with a finger, Sasuke was about to comment something nasty (he will apologize later) and-
"As the strongest, we expect you to lead of our team, understand?"
What? Is that-
"And I will provide additional insight and guidance. Finding another way if the option available isn't beneficial to everyone." Writing furiously on her notebook, Sakura added in a lighter tone, "My knowledge with medical ninjutsu is mediocre at best so I will work on that as soon as possible…" With a nod, she noted firmly as she almost crushed her pen, "…after the exams."
Are they implying that… he is-?
"I'm not smart or strong, but I can be your extra muscle and support." Tapping a finger on her chin, the blonde grins suspiciously and added in a whisper. "I'm an expert when it comes to traps, so you can count on me to snare those fools away." Cackling like a demented witch, Sasuke tried to lean farther away from the girl who grabs him in a hug with Sakura on the other side of her arms.
He did saw the other girl smiling in response to the dobe's craziness and Marco who came unannounced - was observing them amusingly from a perch above the trees overlooking the training grounds.
As if caught red-handed, the Uchiha blushed and the older teen laughs in response to his reaction.
His dignity - long forgotten.
How annoying.
And yet, he feels light. Confident even.
Is this what it feels like? To have people you care about. To protect?
But then, his words kept him at bay. As his smile disappears, Marco frowns and crosses his arms questioningly.
Sasuke may have failed to notice his reaction but the boy shakes his head as if to clear his thoughts. His interaction with the girls may seem indifferent as it was his usual behavior but Naruto (as clueless as ever) didn't even find anything amiss.
"…"
Ignoring Kakashi's arrival, Marco stood and transformed halfway. Leaving the stupid jōnin's inquiry with a pointed look, the Phoenix flew to his human's side not before giving the cyclops a snide remark, "I'm not interested in what you are about to say, yoi. So back off!" He did hear the man mumble how rude he is behind his back.
He does not care about the complexities of this village and their own issues.
What he cares about is his blonde kunoichi.
Nothing else's.
And yet, he knew that Naruto will never abandon the people she cares about. Her friends. Even if Sasuke didn't knew he was one.
.
.
Present day…
The remaining members of Team 7 rushes towards the forest where they knew Marco flew into.
Ignoring the exhaustion her body felt, Sakura set her jaw and called Sasuke's attention with a whistle.
Thankfully, his awareness is sharp as ever (especially now).
"Marco's been compromised," The raven noted gloomily. "If we need to fight him, we don't stand a chance…"
Sakura nodded in concession but her determination never left her face, "You're right.…" Turning sideways as they continue their trek, the pinkette added carefully ensuring that their goal is set, "Until we secure Naruto, we have to try. And be very careful."
Knowing that they don't have much time left and remembering the things they've learned in the past, the two reinforced their limbs with chakra and ran faster.
.
.
Shikamaru knew that coming here to save the other blonde in his life is so troublesome.
But Chōji is worried about her. And Ino just wanted to make sure that her precious Sasuke-kun is unharmed.
So after trying their clan formation that failed epically (something they needed to work on after this annoying exams are over), the Nara never felt so helpless after seeing Naruto being beaten by the Oto nins for whatever reason.
She even had the audacity to save them even if she couldn't move well (injuries he didn't want to think about on how the said girl acquired those wounds).
But then, they came.
Sasuke's eyes (looks like he already activated his Sharingan) burns fiercely in anger with Sakura shattering the ground like it was nothing (excellent chakra control as expected from the pinkette) to separate Naruto from her attacker. Ino's eyes did bulge at that though.
The two immediately went to their teammate's side and hovered protectively beside her. The Uchiha placing himself between the blonde and the three foreign ninjas as Sakura started assessing Naruto's injuries.
And yet, their attention aren't entirely focus on them. Perhaps their wary glance towards the direction of the forest they came from every now and then earned a few warning bells in his mind.
"Someone else is coming…"
"W-what?!" Ino asks nervously and the other genin in spandex tried to get up. "Who?"
The presence he felt is familiar but entirely different.
An unknown voice rang out surprising every one even the other genins watching from the shadows (oh he knew they are there alright).
"How is she, yoi?"
Huh?
Sakura responded worriedly and the air started to get real heavy with every word that came out of her mouth. Shikamaru did notice Sasuke's darkening look as the tomoe in his eyes started spinning.
The newcomer sighed and pinches the bridge of his nose as he finally noticed their presence.
He looks like a civilian alright. With blonde hair closer to Naruto's shade (a relative perhaps?). Unbuttoned short sleeves showing a very toned physique with pants that reaches his calf tied by a light blue sash serving as a belt. But-
"And these guys, yoi?" He did felt dread when the older teen looks at them with a perceptive gaze (similar to his father's when he turns serious in their game of shogi).
The pinkette's eyes sharpened in response reprimanding the teen. "Shikamaru and Chōji are Naruto's closest friends back in the Academy. I don't know why the other one is here but-"
"Oh, they're our audiences alright…," The one called Zaku answers cheekily and wipes the blood from his hands. "We are supposed to wait for her team. But we aren't that picky so they'll do." Chuckling amusedly, the boy took out a kunai and pointed it at her. "I'm about to hear that bitch scream. I just need to-"
It was over in an instant.
The stranger whose eyes turned feral in anger kicks the boy and buried him deeper into the ground as he steps on his body with a sandaled feet. The remaining Oto (even himself) didn't even notice the teen's movement.
It was too fast.
"Marco."
The Nara winces when he (well, everyone did) heard a bone crack. Sasuke's voice is grave as he called the teen's attention.
Marco? Isn't that the name of Naruto's pet?
"I can smell her blood." Blue flames started to surround his arms as the teen took the younger one by his neck, tightening his hold unmindful of the hand that clawed against his grip as the other arm is angled strangely (looks like it broke from the fall). The very same hands that was used against Naruto earlier. "This one…"
For whatever reason, Shikamaru felt satisfaction seeing the other boy struggle.
"STOP!"
Ah. How very troublesome.
.
.
Naruto's everything hurts.
It was like Marco's haki introduction training all over again.
And yet, she could not stop herself from worrying.
Her Phoenix's anger is palpable the moment she was snatched away by the snake bastard.
The feeling stayed despite the distance.
And after sensing Sakura and teme's arrival, she tried real hard to open her eyes. But it was soo heavy.
Then she heard his voice.
"I can smell her blood."
It was a voice she never heard him speak before.
Foreign… even to her ears.
Without them noticing - even Shikamaru's group and spandex wearing genin looks surprised - she ran towards her Phoenix and hugged his middle. Burrowing herself into his body.
Strangely enough, she can feel his heartbeat. It was beating real fast. Tightening her hold, she didn't let go.
Strangely enough, despite the anger pouring out of him, Marco releases his hold on the boy and took her into his arms.
Relief washing over her system as Marco kisses the top of her head and effortlessly carried her. Disregarding their personal space knowing that her Phoenix wouldn't mind, she wrap her legs around him and places her face at the crook of his neck. She might have sensed Ino dropping her jaws in shock.
"These are the consequences of the actions I made. Decisions I will never regret doing…" Naruto whispered as she leaned away slightly and touches his face giving her pirate a soft look. "I made a promise to do my best, remember?"
"What am I going to do with you, yoi?" Her smile turned into a grin as he turned away from his prey and walks towards Sasuke and the others.
Marco did felt the idiot trying to pick himself up with a kunai at hand.
And the said kunai was thrown at them and exploded after it struck him at the back.
"Marco! Naruto!"
Sakura's alarming shout rang across the clearing accompanied by the idiot's mocking laughter.
.
.
Forest of Death, main tower…
It is a very worrisome day.
Well, he already expected Marco's foul mood after they (Haku) rendered him unconscious.
Thus he made sure to keep tabs on the children's aura - bird-brain wasn't the only one who improved their haki - just to satisfy the other pirate's incessant need to protect Naruto-chan.
But then an unknown signature came and approaches the three. An intent malicious enough that allowed him to feel it even from this distance.
Dark and dangerous.
Of course, Marco is another matter knowing how attuned he is to Naruto with their unmistakable bond.
With Marco being secretive about the said 'connection', he decided to figure it out on his own.
Haku-chan probably knew more as she is as observant as someone can be. But the girl is loyal and may possibly confer with the other pirate more since it was his friend who gave her another purpose in life.
Team 7's jōnin-sensei may be another matter. And despite the animosity the man felt towards Marco and vice versa, the silver haired ninja is keeping a mum on things. Especially to the pirate's relationship with his student.
With a weary sigh, he did notice the Jōnin Commander observing him from a far. Securing his armband, he gave the other man an acknowledging wave and took the bottle of water Haku provided with a quiet thanks as they await patiently for the second stage of exams to end.
"Feeling better?"
With a grunt, he drank to divert his attention from the unease he continuously felt from Marco's chaotic emotions.
"That overgrown chicken is all over the place. I think I'm gonna have a migraine with the size of an ostrich… ugh!"
"Strangely enough, I don't sense anything from him," With a frown, Haku commented as she looks outside the window preventing a smile to grace her lips from the pirate's favored pet name to his friend. "Perhaps I need to sharpen my 'haki' a bit more…" Turning to face the man so that she can offer some ointments for his headache, the former hunter-nin saw Kakashi-san walking towards them with a grim expression on his eyes.
"The first team that arrived is from Sunagakure. But the boy Sasuke mentioned went back to the forest on his own…"
"And you worry because of him? How so?" Avoiding their scrutinizing gaze, Kakashi scratches his mask covered cheek. Haku did wonder the same exact thought. "Unless the said boy took a sudden interest to our ramen loving kunoichi…" The jōnin did choke on that so she decided to leave the men and their discussion. Leaning by the windowsill, the Yuki watches the view from outside. Silently hoping that Team 7 especially Naruto-chan is alright.
'Please be safe…'
.
.
Rushing towards the explosion, Shikamaru stops when Sasuke prevents him from passing through.
"Are you blind or something?" Hissing angrily, the Nara was about to slap the raven's hand away when Sakura hastily places herself between the two of them with a serious expression in her eyes.
"Watch very closely…"
"Shikamaru, look." Chōji sounds astounded for whatever reason. Ino's mouth is yet to clamp itself shut and continues to watch the scene unfolding before their eyes. And yes, he did falter after seeing the flames of the explosion succumbs to flares of embers and blue - the exact point on what is suppose to be the remains of Naruto and the older teen.
"Tch! How very irritating, yoi."
H-he's… they're alive? H-how?
.
Seeing the tag accompanying the weapon, he transformed partly and made sure that Naruto is protected with a wing.
The kunai did embed itself on his back (he just mended the damn shirt) and felt the explosion surrounds his body. Just the same, he kept his full attention to the kunoichi in his arms and tugs her closer. Keeping her safe.
Allowing his flames to do their task, he dispelled it after ensuring that the fire wouldn't reach Naruto.
And despite the blast, her exhaustion had gotten into her and he could feel shallow breaths coming out of her lips. She's tired with all these wounds. He can't even sense their bond despite having close contact - like something is blocking them, damn it!
With a growl, he releases a concentrated wave of Haoshoku directed at the foreigners and glared murderously at them with a warning.
"5 seconds is all I have for you. Stay or DIE!"
.
Dosu knew the threat this newcomer presents is real. The teen didn't even had a scratch on him from the explosion despite the kunai pinned on his back
And the heavy feeling he releases is starting to get suffocating especially as it was directed towards them.
Signaling Kin, they left while tugging Zaku who continues to struggle and prefers to finish the mission.
"We won't be able to complete our task if you kill yourself now, idiot!" Thankfully the other boy understood and finally settled down allowing Kin to treat his injuries. Ensuring that they are in a distance far away from the Leaf brats and the stranger himself. "You will have your chance. For now we wait."
Zaku spits annoyingly to the ground as he rolled his eyes internally in response.
Seems like 'he' failed to mention something very important about this mission.
The 'target' has a protector of her own.
Tch.
.
.
Opening his last bag of chips, Chōji watches the proceedings before him. The other Konoha genin left a while ago when his team came to pick him up. Not before he was thanked by Sakura for coming to Naruto's rescue.
Ino surprises him yet again as she gets ahold of herself and bombarded the pinkette with so many questions while looking randomly at the other 'elephant in the room' or rather forest.
The 'unknown' sat dutifully by Naruto-chan's side after Sakura healed her most obvious injuries.
He decided to sit beside his bestfriend as the Nara is patiently waiting for Sasuke to start explaining that day's event. Perhaps they'll get a brief understanding as to why the ninjas from Oto attacked Naruto.
Offering his snack, Shikamaru rolled his eyes at him and took a few pieces knowing that his presence will remind him to be calm and for the Uchiha to avoid any deflection. Aside from Kiba and the Hyūga heiress, he is one of the closest people to Naruto (and by extension, Shikamaru).
With a sigh, Sasuke looked at them seriously and started. "We were attacked and someone targeted Naruto because of…"
Turning to look at one another, the Akimichi may have dropped his junk food with a bewildered look. Frowning in response, Shikamaru did pick it up and handed the packaging back to his friend.
"You don't really need to give the specifics, Sasuke," Glancing sideways, he saw the older teen giving the blonde a gentle look (entirely different from his murderous reaction earlier). "We already anticipated weird stuff happening on these exams…"
Chōji noted absentmindedly. "What Shikamaru really means is that…"
"Who the hell is he?" Ino blurted out with Sakura following behind her. The pinkette did gave the Uchiha an apologetic look as she sat beside her teammate. Huffing inwardly, he tugs the other girl to sit as they waited Sasuke's further explanation.
"We know that he isn't a participant but an outsider. Unless his presence here is expected - how will that even work at all?" They are telling the truth except from one thing. Not that it matters. But someone he knew was almost mutilated right in front of him.
"And is 'Marco' the name of Naruto's pet bird?" Chōji added curiosly.
"Seriously, yoi…" Team 10 may have jump in surprise as the teen in question spoke behind them. Not that Team 7 will point it out.
How did he…?
.
Marco chuckled in response to their hilarious expressions. Picking up the bag of chips the Akimichi drops the second time that night, he took a few pieces for his own and gave the junk food (if Thatch is here, he'll probably lecture the boy to stop eating these kind of snacks) to its owners hands.
Sitting in between the children and his brats (idly wondering when he started calling Team 7 a part of his own), he still got a clear view of Naruto's slumbering form. Not that he'll have a hard time coming to her defense if the worst is yet to come (which he highly doubts).
"You don't need to keep my presence a secret at all, Sasuke, Sakura."
"B-but…" Sakura mumbled and the pirate grinned at her as he turned to face the others.
Shikamaru did swallowed nervously feeling the gaze he received. It was like he is being assessed by the older boy. 'Marco' did shake his head and gave the Nara a comforting nod.
He did remember his observation for the said boy. And to avoid unfounded assumptions, he gave them a brief information of the world he came from. And why he is here.
"You see, I came from a far away place," Pausing slightly, he showed the children a nostalgic look and glances towards his human. "A place that is entirely different from the Elemental Nations…" With a smile, he added softly.
"And it was Naruto who found me. The rest, as the saying goes, is history…"
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Interlude: Shikamaru
Arriving at the tower, he looked at his surroundings making sure that they aren't followed.
He did see a few other participants coming from the trees.
"They'll be fine…" Chōji assures his friend knowing what thought passes through his gaze.
"Hell yeah! They got Sasuke-kun in their team." Ino added confidently. "He'll be able to bring those harpies with him and get here without trouble."
"And yet Naruto was taken despite your Uchiha's presence, no?" He didn't mean to be sarcastic, but that day's events is a clear reminder that something is trying to break the cycle. Something far larger than what they can take.
And seems like Team 7 is right in the middle of it.
Unknown to the three, they are being observed closely by a floating eyeball. If it has the usual skin covering, it might have blink in confusion.
Before it was noticed, it dissolves into grains of sand as it returned to its 'maker'.
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Author's note:
Thanks for reading… and liking er following.
Un-beta'ed so mistakes are mine. Sorry.
Would also like to hear any comments, corrections or suggestions. Just the same, anything matters.
Cheers!
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