XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX

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.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX

Of Flaming Feathers and Bloodstained Furs
By: Zelga Lim Li

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX

Part 32

He shouldn't have left the safety confines of his 'home'.

Heh. The word itself is quite ridiculous to comprehend since he never remembered having one (ignoring the place he previously had before it all started). But after he met them… met him… everything started to fall into place. Or make sense in his chaotic existence.

Removing the bones that protrudes from his flesh courtesy of his unexpected 'guest', Yakushi Kabuto sighed annoyingly and started healing his wounds internally.

Perhaps he will not hesitate to attack that place as well knowing that he lives there. He suppose… it is a blessing in disguise to avoid the others from getting caught in the crossfire.

Huh?

Since when did he started to care for these people?

A strange concept but not entirely surprising given the company he now walks with.

And when he heard the arrival of his attacker, he tried to calm himself. Thinking of a way to send Marco a warning.

It is the least he can do for the pirate who saved his life.

"Are you ready to die?" With a condescending smile, Kimimaro raises one hand towards him. "This is the least I can do for all the efforts you have put into me… for keeping me alive."

As the medic closes his eyes to await his 'fate', he heard the Sound-nin's voice as the younger man softly mumble his farewell.

.

.

Meanwhile…

Karin was greatly surprised to know that Orochimaru's right hand man is here. That Yakushi Kabuto is still alive.

Living in the same house as her.

Living with the family she just found.

She thought he was dead judging from the tantrum her master (former) made after returning from that attempted invasion without the said medic by his side. Thus she kept it to herself when she met him and watches the other shinobi with suspicion and wariness.

Kabuto shook his head in response to their first meeting and smiled cheekily at her. Flustered, she hid behind Naruto-sama's back and glared at him.

The other 'overwhelming' presence (she did tried to ignore it as much as she can because it is scary as hell) who is sitting beside the blonde haired Uzumaki did smile amusingly as he observes their interaction.

"Kabuto also lives here albeit temporarily, yoi. Until he decides what to do with his life, he's staying on the other room next to ours…"

Naruto interjected happily in confirmation and showed her the blueprints of their house with another 'expansion'. Asking what her favorite color is, her unofficial clan head discussed some changes with Haku-chan as she inquired her additional input for the furnishings.

That day went almost okay (shadowing Shizune-san who was designated as the Hokage's personal assistant)… but when she felt Kabuto's chakra disappear, she gasps in shock and gripped the other woman's hand who steadied her. Hokage-sama's eyes glinted dangerously and immediately called in her ANBUs.

"Intruders… K-kabuto-san…"

.

Barking out her orders, Tsunade immediately summoned Neko knowing that the said ANBU is with the pirates at this time.

Despite the leeway Marco has and his connection to a certain kunoichi and the Third Hokage, she still has to consider the factor that the said teen is still an 'unknown' despite saving the village from her idiotic teammate.

Unless he decided to enlist as one of her shinobi, she will always consider him as a guest. Perhaps just to satisfy the council's paranoia.

Giving Karin a once-over, she waited a few minutes and alllowed the young woman to collect herself.

"How many?"

Her voice sounded calm and yet the intent she releases gave Tonton a scare as she hid behind Shizune while the said woman looks at the redhead in worry.

"There's two. Ah, three with the other one w-who came from here. Coming up north… and there's three more." With a deep breath, the Uzumaki frowned and added cautiously. "There might be others outside my range… their possible location may vary. But I'm certain that it will be close to the borders of the Land of Fire."

Her expression remains unyielding, the Godaime Hokage walk towards the window behind her desk that overlooks the entire village and clasped both hands behind her back.

The suffocating intent she released earlier vanished and was replaced by a very calming air. Karin gulped back her trepidation and glances surreptitiously to Shizune-san who nodded at her quietly and left the room with the pig following closely behind.

The redhead immediately notices the village leader sigh and looks back at her as another presence entered the room. The Jōnin Commander coughs slightly to make his presence known.

"Report."

Nara Shikaku's information did not surprise her. Knowing that his options are limited now that he just thrown his 'possessions' away, the Uzumaki knew that the Snake will certainly utilize those two to get things back on track.

"Am I to assume that you know these 'intruders'?" Shikaku asks while Tsunade remains quiet who decided to sit down and clasp both hands in an attempt to cover the displeased tilt of her lips.

Hesitating slightly, the redhead turns to the Senju for guidance who nodded her head in consent.

"The last of their clans," With a pause, the Uzumaki clenches her fists in trepidation. "Both are loyal to… to that man and will do everything they can to appease him…" Realizing their intent, Karin's eyes widen mirroring the Hokage's sudden realization. "Naruto-sama… she's…"

Waving one hand off dismissively, Tsunade leans back and tapped one manicured finger on top of her desk, with a tiny twitch of smirk playing across her face. "Don't worry about the brat. She is far more safer in the village… or rather with that pirate around."

Baffled, the redhead looks toward Shikaku who shrugged his shoulders in agreement.

"We need to track their footprints. To know if there are casualties involved… can you help us, Uzumaki-san?"

Nodding her head, Karin turned and gave a polite bow to her 'new' village leader. "I'll do what I can, Nara-san."

For Naruto-sama.

The unspoken promise heard from her voice and both responded in approval (the Senju most especially).

.

As the two left her office, the Slug Princess silently contemplates the events that started to transpire that day. That the wheels of fate started to roll into motion with several paths laid for each and everyone of her shinobi who will have to choose the road they wanted to take.

She just hopes that despite everything that might happen today, she'll be able to keep the village (and her people) intact no matter what.

.

A few hours earlier…

Neji gave the two weirdos a grunt farewell with a wave of his hand and an exasperated look towards Tenten as he turn his back methodically ignoring the two spandex wearing shinobis who are busy exclaiming his own youthful vigor and dedication for that day's training.

The twin bunned kunoichi chuckled in response and waves in return as she watches Neji's back while the two nerds thankfully stopped their 'show' and quickly stands beside her. Gai-sensei had this thoughtful look on his face as Lee looks at her inquisitively.

"Something wrong?"

Shaking her head, she pinches his cheeks and scolded him for being careless. She did almost slice Lee in pieces during their spar but he laughs at her reaction but his eyes shows appreciation for her concern. And as expected, he promised to train harder knowing that her expertise is now starting to catch up with his speed. Sweat dropping, Tenten sighed but indulges him all the same.

Unknown to the two, Gai noticed a specific light that suddenly went off from the Hokage tower. Keeping up his facade, he cheerfully urges the two to go home and reminded their meeting tomorrow for another youthful training as he disappeared in puffs of smoke and leaves.

Damn it. He forgot to give Lee his usual farewell after he left in haste.

Hopefully the teen isn't paying attention as he is busy teasing Tenten.

"What happened?" His eternal rival appeared beside him as they rushed towards the tower. Shaking his head, he hopes that whatever the disturbance is, it won't affect the dynamics the team currently has knowing that Neji is starting to open up to everyone.

Ah.

Perhaps he'll invite the blonde haired Uzumaki for a meal… as a sign of hid gratitude. And then there's this brief outburst of unadulterated fury coming from the forest.

A familiar sensation that he once felt not long before.

"Damn it, Marco. What now?" Kakashi muttered.

Seems like he need to do a rain check on that meal.

.

.

Tayuya finishes the last of her pursuers as the other three (four if we include Ukon) watches cautiously behind. Jirōbō handed her flute as her anger boils into a simmer.

She will kill that bastard who took her down. She's…

"Our mission is to make sure the delivery of the 'package'."

Smirking, Sakon added that she'll have her chance… if she targets the correct person.

Smiling sinisterly, she urges them to go ahead with a specific task in mind.

She's going to make sure he will feel her wrath once this is all over. That is a promise or she'll die trying.

.

A few minutes later…

"What do you think you're doing stupid brat?"

Huh?

"That Uchiha put you in a genjutsu induced sleep. And someone is trying to kill you and the other brat… so do something about it. I don't want to disappear without you fulfilling your part of the bargain, you incompetent fool."

The familiar voice said with enough venom in its (his?) tone when Sasuke was mentioned.

A genjutsu sleep? Wait, what bargain?!

With a frustrated growl, Naruto gave the fox a finger as she opened her eyes. Surprised to see Neji crouching (with a few grazes on his arms) beside her with several of her chains sticking out of the ground and formed some sort of a barrier to protect them. Outside, she can hear several curses of their 'attacker' who is mending the wounds caused by a haki-imbued chain.

Wow! That's something new.

"Hey! You're that girl from the invasion. How did you…"

Eyes glinting madly, Tayuya activates her cursed mark and attacks.

Feeling her murderous intent, Naruto pushes the Hyūga away as she imbued her legs with haki and uses Marco's favored high kick move. Hearing bones shattered upon impact (wincing slighty and felt a little sorry for the other girl), the blonde uses her other feet (this time with chakra) to push her opponent back.

"Damn you!" The redhead screeches and fully transformed with her curse mark enveloping her form turning into something monster like.

Ew.

Thinking how grotesque teme could have been if he received the snake bastard's mark makes her want to hurl everything she ate earlier that day. Ugh! Disgusting.

Then she heard how this girl plans to make the ANBU wearing a Phoenix's mask suffer by killing her. Ignoring Neji's cautious look as her haki flows dangerously within her limbs… then she felt her eyes slitted in anger.

"What will you do now?" Hearing the fox's voice in her head as he asks her next move - not even wondering how she labeled the creature as a male (perhaps it is the built of its body or something) - Naruto knew what she must do. "A threat… to your precious pirate. Do you want to kill her?"

Steeling her resolve, she acted without hesitation ignoring the purring sound the fox made inside her mindscape. Consequences be damned, she won't let this girl harm the person she cares about. The people precious to her.

Even if she needs to sully her hands.

Even if she sacrifice her life for them.

.

.

Marco believed that being a pirate has several advantages unlike any other. There might be the negative ones that he need to consider very carefully. But he made sure to set rules for himself that Edward adapted when their crew started to grow in numbers.

He should've been there when Oyaji recruited Teach… just so they could have avoided the incident with Thatch. Something he needed to sort quickly once they get back.

Then there's the idea of being a ninja.

Now this was suggested by the Sandaime when he was formally introduced to the new village leader albeit in passing.

Senju Tsunade is one intimidating woman that may scare a lesser man. Thatch included.

Surprisingly, as the granddaughter of the First and Second Hokage, Marco knew that she will value the village more than anything.

But… he did see the concern in her eyes when she talked about his Naruto. Ah.

"Naruto can take care of herself…" With a worried scowl, the pirate remembers his prey that escaped his grasps. He did try to control his anger when he learned what the bastard did the day she found the Senju.

"True." Clasping both hands, Tsunade added softly. "With Jiraiya's guidance, she'll be able to surpass her parents in regards to the Fox or the seals surrounding her heritage."

Ignoring Hiruzen's concerned gaze, Marco breathes heavily to calm his emotions (and ignores the illusionary bloodstain in his hands… Naruto's blood) and turned his eyes towards the two. As Thatch is busy with the preparations for their departure, he will discuss the plans they both agreed upon (much to the fourth commander's resigned frustration). Thinking of his future endeavors, Tsunade nodded and gave her own offer much to the Phoenix's surprised reaction.

Placing the said thought at the back of his mind, he transformed halfway as he saw her standing beside the lifeless form of the girl he recognizes from the invasion (with the Hyūga watching quietly from afar with a few of Naruto's chakra chains surrounding the boy like a barrier).

Her voice is calm and yet he can feel the turmoil within when she acknowledges his presence.

"Regret is something I need to get familiar with… but I will not hesitate to do it again if it means I can protect you…" Her eyes shadowed as her gaze remained glued to the body beneath her.

No words came out of his mouth. But he took her within his arms ignoring the world and everything on it.

Yes. Once he finishes his tasks within the crew, he will definitely return to Konoha and make sure his blonde kunoichi will remain safe as she continues to reach for her dreams.

She will become his Hokage. Believe it!

.

.

Interlude: Neji 2

Ever since he fought her, Hyūga Neji's outlook in life changed.

There's still this profound hatred for the main branch. But it is a bit different from the one he felt before.

It is… more controlled. Directed to a very few that continues to separate their clan into two.

He now knows who to blame.

Regardless, he decided to be better than them - just like what his father wants for him. To do something meaningful for himself. The words he left for him makes him want to prove to them that they aren't different just because of this mark.

Gai-sensei approves proudly.

So when he decided to observe the girl who made him see (he is not a stalker, thank you very much), he is… intrigued. She speaks as if she knows. That she's the same like him.

Lee gave him a knowing look while Tenten is kind of perplexed with his sudden interest and decided to follow his lead.

Uzumaki Naruto doesn't seem so different from anyone else's. Perhaps the same as Lee with their unending will to prove themselves.

However… everyone surrounding the girl says otherwise. Even if he never really talked to them at all.

The pirate who's always with the blonde did notice him the other day. Returning his look curiously despite the distance. Observing him.

It was the Uchiha himself who confronted him. Asking his intentions.

Neji can see the protectiveness in his gaze. As he didn't know the answer just yet, he did felt the satisfaction when the other genin ordered him (the nerve of this bastard) to stay away from the Uzumaki or the other blonde will make him.

Hmm?

The said blonde who they call Marco did chuckle in response and interrupted their 'confrontation'.

"I suppose it can't be helped. Naruto does like to make new friends, yoi."

Agreeing to that comment, he did saw 'Marco's' darkening look when Sasuke mentioned the Suna brat.

Ah.

The girl in question looks at them quizzically (and muttered incoherently to herself when the two ignored her questions) but huffs in response as she tugs him along and left the 'drama' behind. "Don't mind these two. For whatever Kami-forsaken reason, they don't like anyone outside our team…"

Huh? He did gave the two a smirk when the girl worriedly fretted over his injuries from their last fight.

Hilarious.

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX

Author's note:
I am thankful for the patience everyone has for this story. And yeah… last few chapters for this current arc. Hopefully, I will be able to prep the next one as soon as possible. And a special chapter or an omake that may or may not be an integral part of the story… I think.

So, that should be it. Ah. Also cross-posted in AO3. Enjoy!

XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX XoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoXoX