Chapter 272: A Gift in Song
The sound of soft chirping filled the air as Malik stepped into the bird shop, Kakashi being dragged behind him in what had become a silent acceptance of fate. The moment they crossed the threshold, they were met with a symphony of chirps, whistles, and melodic calls, each bird creating its own distinct rhythm in the large, wooden aviary-style store.
Malik's hot pink eyes gleamed with excitement, scanning the room as his magic pulsed softly—not enough to cause a scene, but enough to remind everyone in the vicinity that this was no ordinary customer. Kakashi, hands casually in his pockets, watched with mild curiosity as Malik strode straight toward the counter, where an employee was tending to a cage of finches.
The young worker, a man with a sharp gaze and a gentle touch when handling the birds, turned to see Malik approaching. His brow lifted slightly—recognition. Malik's fame was widespread, and it wasn't every day that someone wealthy, influential, and glowing walked into a store asking for a pet.
"How can I help you?" the employee asked smoothly, wiping his hands on his apron.
Malik leaned onto the counter, flashing his usual charming grin. "I'm looking for a bird—one that can sing. It's for one of my future wives."
The employee blinked once, then nodded slowly. "A singing bird? That's doable." He studied Malik for a second before tilting his head. "Tell me—what's she like? The right bird should match the person."
Malik paused, considering the question. He didn't say the woman's name, but her image was clear in his mind—Tayuya.
She was tough, sharp-edged like the blade of a kunai, wrapped in the wild energy of a fighter who never wanted to lose. Abrasive, loud, and fiercely independent. But beneath all that steel was something else, something more delicate—a love for music. The way she played the flute, the moments when she could be quiet, focused, at peace with sound instead of combat.
Malik gave the best description he could—avoiding the violent parts, but not ignoring that she was strong-willed. "She's fiery—sharp-tongued, determined. The kind of person who fights like hell but also knows how to appreciate beauty. She plays the flute, loves music—sometimes she can be peaceful, but only when she wants to be."
Kakashi observed from the side as something interesting happened—every employee in the store stopped what they were doing to listen.
They weren't interrupting, but the moment Malik started talking, the workers froze mid-task, some even setting down their tools or turning from cages just to hear what he would say next.
One worker muttered something under his breath—something about this man's voice being dangerous, like a hypnotic spell—but Malik wasn't trying to cast magic. He just had presence.
The main employee hummed, considering everything Malik had said. He turned toward the back of the shop, scanning through the various birds before nodding once. "I've got something. Wait here."
After a few minutes, the employee returned, holding a cage with a stunning red songbird perched inside.
The bird had brilliant crimson feathers, almost like flame incarnate, and its eyes were sharp, intelligent. The moment it was brought forward, the songbird let out a powerful, striking melody—beautiful and commanding all at once.
Malik's hot pink eyes lit up immediately.
"Oh, this one's got personality," he mused, grinning as he leaned in slightly.
The bird puffed up, letting out a little chirp, as if accepting the compliment but refusing to be tamed easily.
Kakashi, watching from behind, saw something familiar in the energy between Malik and the songbird—like recognizing like.
"It's a little feisty," the employee admitted, half-smiling. "But the song is worth it."
Malik didn't hesitate. He pulled out an absurd amount of money, placed it on the counter, and paid for the bird without blinking.
Kakashi exhaled as they turned to leave. One more mission accomplished.
The moment they stepped outside, Malik moved without hesitation.
A pulse of hot pink light bloomed from his chest, energy spiraling outward like a heartbeat before forming into a ball of soft glow.
Kakashi barely blinked before Grubgrub appeared, shifting into the form of a gold-and-pink bird, their aura shimmering in the daylight.
Malik didn't even need to say anything.
Grubgrub, understanding without words, took flight—and the red songbird followed immediately, as if drawn by an invisible tether.
Both birds lifted into the sky, Malik's magic surrounding them, wrapping them in a spell of invisibility for safety, keeping them hidden from potential threats as they made their long journey toward Tayuya.
Malik watched them disappear into the sky, his expression calm, satisfied.
"Safe travels," he murmured.
Kakashi stood beside him, hands in pockets, gaze following the birds as they vanished into the distance. He said nothing for a few moments before finally speaking.
"You did all of that without explaining why you picked this woman."
Malik smirked. "Some things are better left unsaid, Kakashi."
Kakashi glanced at him sideways, shaking his head slightly. "Right. More secrets."
Malik grinned, shoving his hands into his coat pockets. "Adds to my charm."
And just like that, they walked onward, leaving the bird shop behind.
=== A few days later, and while not super important to the plot. ===
The night was dense with a low-hanging mist that gave the dark stone of the broken mountain an eerie, ghostly sheen. The jagged terrain twisted with shadows cast by the sparse moonlight breaking through the thick clouds. Tayuya and Kin Tsuchi trudged through this desolate area, dragging an unremarkable prisoner between them, who whimpered and begged for his freedom with every step. His cries were met with the same indifference from both women, their movements focused and efficient as they hauled him back to Orochimaru's base.
Tayuya, known for her wild, untamed energy, had an outfit to match her personality but with a touch of subtle coordination to Kin's. She wore a dark crimson kimono-like top that wrapped around her slender frame but left one shoulder exposed, her cursed seal just barely hidden beneath her dark red hair. The hem of the top was asymmetrical, flaring slightly to reveal tailored shorts underneath—black with crimson accents—that allowed her the freedom to move at a moment's notice, the shorts also made her large butt look amazing but that wasn't the point. A wide, black sash was tied around her waist, both functional and stylish, and her tall boots were laced tightly, their sleek design emphasizing her toned legs.
Kin's new look paired well with Tayuya's without sacrificing her individual flair. Her outfit was a deep shade of violet, a nod to the ribbon that tied her long black hair near its ends. Her top was a sleeveless, high-collared vest that accentuated her frame and large chest, with subtle snake-patterned embroidery along the edges. She wore fitted pants in a matching violet hue with a light gray skirt layered over them, much like her original style but with a modernized, sharper edge. Her scarf, still patterned like a serpent, wrapped loosely around her neck, trailing behind her like a shadow as she walked.
Together, their outfits complemented each other without being overtly matching—an unspoken nod to their roles as fiancées of the same man, Malik, while also maintaining their distinct personalities.
Now, back the Dragging Deadweight -
"For the love of—could he be any heavier?" Kin groaned, rolling her eyes as the prisoner stumbled over a rock, nearly yanking her arm out of its socket.
"You're acting like you're doing all the work," Tayuya shot back, her tone sharp. "I'm the one doing the heavy lifting here."
Kin glared at her. "Yeah, because you're too stubborn to let me help properly. If you would let go of his other arm, I could probably carry this loser on my own."
The prisoner whimpered pitifully. "Please, let me go! I swear, I don't know anything!"
Tayuya snorted, her laugh dripping with derision. "Oh, shut up. If I have to waste my night dragging your sorry ass around, the least you could do is shut your trap."
Kin chuckled, though her smile was more of a smirk. "Agreed. I could've been doing literally anything else tonight. But no, we get sent to fetch a nobody. What a waste of perfectly good time."
"Tell me about it," Tayuya muttered, adjusting her grip on the man's arm. "I could be working on a new piece of music right now. Instead, I'm stuck with this idiot."
Kin raised an eyebrow. "You do realize this entire mission is Orochimaru's idea, right? Complain to her if you've got a problem."
Tayuya's jaw tightened, but she didn't respond. Kin's smirk widened. "Oh, what's the matter? Can't bring yourself to backtalk the snake?"
"Shut up," Tayuya snapped, though there was no real venom in her voice. Despite their bickering, there was a strange camaraderie between the two women—an understanding borne of shared experiences and mutual respect.
"You shut up," Kin retorted automatically, her smirk never wavering.
Their verbal sparring was interrupted by something neither of them expected: a birdsong.
Both women stopped in their tracks, their heads snapping up in unison. The sound was clear and beautiful, carrying through the otherwise silent night.
"What the hell?" Tayuya muttered, her brow furrowing. "Birds don't sing this late."
Kin nodded, her expression equally puzzled. "Not out here, they don't."
But then, they felt it—a familiar warmth blooming in their chests, a sensation that was unmistakable.
Tayuya's eyes widened slightly as two small figures came into view, illuminated faintly by the moonlight: one was Grubgrub, glowing softly in its gold-and-pink bird form, and the other was a striking red songbird, its crimson feathers glinting like fire in the dark.
"Grubgrub," Tayuya breathed, recognizing the creature instantly. Her eyes flicked to the red songbird, her mind racing. She didn't know this bird, but she knew who it was from. Malik.
Kin, standing beside her, crossed her arms. "Well, looks like someone got a delivery."
Tayuya turned her head, grinning. "Jealous?"
Kin scowled. "A little, yeah. Why does he send you gifts and not me?"
Tayuya's grin widened. "Because I'm his favorite."
Kin rolled her eyes, but there was no real malice in her expression.
Grubgrub chirped softly before nudging the red songbird toward Tayuya. She hesitated for a moment before reaching out, letting the fiery little bird perch on her hand. It chirped again, its song beautiful and full of energy, and Tayuya couldn't help but smile.
"Alright, fine," she said, her voice softer than usual. "It's pretty cute."
Kin huffed. "You're going to rub this in my face all night, aren't you?"
Tayuya laughed, adjusting her hold on the prisoner's arm before gesturing for Kin to grab the other side. "Obviously. But I'll be nice and let you name it, future sister-in-law."
Kin blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the gesture. Her lips twitched into a small smile before she turned her gaze to the bird. "Alright. How about… Ember?"
Tayuya considered it before nodding. "Ember it is."
With their spirits lifted, the two women resumed their journey, dragging the prisoner behind them as the red songbird—Ember—perched contentedly on Tayuya's shoulder.
= back to the present day and whatever the hell Malik was doing =
After a nice but fast lunch at a small food stand nestled in the bustling streets of the Land of Birds, Malik stepped out with Kakashi trailing behind him. The food was delicious, simple, and satisfying—though Malik had devoured his meal with the energy of a man who always seemed to be racing against time. Kakashi had taken his sweet time, savoring each bite.
As the pair emerged, Malik held out his wrist, displaying a collection of several extremely expensive watches, each gleaming under the sunlight. It was an absurd display of wealth, the watches stacked like accessories rather than practical timekeepers.
"You know," Malik began, grinning as he admired the shimmering array, "I really don't know what time it is, but with all this ice on my wrist, does it even matter?"
Kakashi, his face unreadable behind his mask, let out a quiet sigh, but Malik swore there was the faintest hint of a smirk in his visible eye.
Malik turned to him, his hot pink eyes glinting playfully. "It's time for the last thing on my super boring list. Let's go check out that old hut in the forest near the edge of the village."
As they made their way toward the forest, the atmosphere shifted. The streets of the Land of Birds gave way to uneven paths and dense trees, their branches stretching overhead to create a canopy that blocked most of the sunlight. The air grew cooler, heavier with the promise of something mysterious waiting beyond the village's borders.
Kakashi walked beside Malik, his pace steady but his mind elsewhere. Malik, always talking, didn't seem to notice the silence that had settled over Kakashi—didn't notice how his comrade's thoughts wandered into the past, to a conversation that had etched itself deeply into Kakashi's memory.
It was a conversation with Shisui, Malik's first wife and a fellow shinobi Kakashi deeply respected.
The memory was vivid. He could see Shisui standing across from him in one of Konoha's quieter training fields, her posture relaxed but her presence commanding. Her long, dark hair swayed slightly in the breeze, the sunlight catching the edges of her expression—a mix of confidence and quiet contemplation.
"Kakashi," she had said, her voice steady but warm, "I wanted to talk to you about Malik."
Kakashi nodded, listening intently. Shisui was not the type to speak unnecessarily, so when she did, it was worth paying attention.
"He's… unique," she began, her lips curving into a small, almost amused smile. "You've probably noticed that already."
Kakashi chuckled softly, adjusting his mask. "Hard to miss. He has a talent for standing out."
Shisui tilted her head slightly, her gaze distant for a moment. "He's unpredictable. Wild, even. But there's a method to his madness—a depth to how he does things that most people don't see."
She took a step closer, her expression growing more serious. "He's driven by more than just ambition. Every action, every decision, is connected to something deeper. Sometimes it's love, sometimes it's loyalty, sometimes…" She paused, searching for the right words. "Sometimes it's just his heart telling him what's right."
Kakashi nodded slowly, absorbing her words.
"He's going to challenge you," Shisui continued, her tone lighter now, "in ways you might not expect. He doesn't follow rules the way most do, but that's why he's good at what he does. Just… keep an eye on him. And trust him, even when things don't seem to make sense."
Kakashi met her gaze, his visible eye narrowing slightly. "You're asking me to trust the wildest man in the village."
Shisui smiled—a genuine, warm smile that softened the sharp edges of her presence. "I'm asking you to trust my husband. He's got a good heart, Kakashi, even if he hides it behind all that flair."
Back to the Present
Kakashi blinked, pulling himself out of the memory as the forest grew thicker around them. Malik walked ahead, his stride confident, his pink magic faintly shimmering with every step.
Kakashi sighed softly, recalling Shisui's words. She was right about Malik. The man was unpredictable, his methods unconventional, but beneath all the theatrics and extravagance was a heart that drove him forward—a heart that cared deeply for those he loved.
"You okay back there?" Malik called, glancing over his shoulder with a grin.
Kakashi nodded, his hands tucked into his pockets. "Just thinking about how much trouble you're about to find at this hut."
Malik laughed loudly, the sound echoing through the trees. "Trouble finds me, Kakashi, not the other way around."
Kakashi smirked under his mask, silently agreeing.
As they reached the hut, a scent drifted gently toward Malik—a sweet yet warmly inviting fragrance that instantly captivated his senses. It wasn't just pleasant; there was something undeniably alluring about it, a mysterious promise hidden within its aroma. Malik paused, inhaling deeply as curiosity sparked within him, pulling his gaze toward the modest structure ahead.
Glancing back at Kakashi, Malik flashed him a playful grin. "You trust me enough to wander into a strange hut alone for just a moment or two?"
Kakashi's visible shudder was accompanied by an exaggerated sigh, his eye betraying mild exasperation as he retrieved his beloved orange book, flipping casually to a page he'd surely memorized by now. "Sure, why not," Kakashi drawled lazily, his voice dripping with sarcastic humor. "Just don't do anything I'll have trouble explaining later."
Malik chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement. "No promises," he teased before stepping confidently toward the hut on the smooth rock path and through the entrance.
Inside, the hut's interior was dimly illuminated, the glow from a single lantern casting flickering shadows across wooden walls and floorboards. The air felt thicker here, the curious scent intensifying with each cautious step Malik took deeper inside. The smell seemed almost familiar yet maddeningly elusive, and he felt compelled to uncover its source.
As he moved further into the hut, his eyes quickly adjusted to the limited lighting, until something unusual finally caught his attention—a delicate pair of panties, gently swaying on a thin clothesline stretched between two sturdy wooden pillars. The fabric was luxurious, a striking blend of deep sapphire blue and midnight black silk. The panties appeared freshly laundered yet somehow still invitingly damp, and the mere sight of them brought a mischievous smile to Malik's lips.
Intrigued, he approached the garment slowly, fingertips brushing against the soft material. Its gentle warmth radiated into his hand, sparking vivid images of the feminine curves they might have cradled. Curiosity quickly grew into temptation as he carefully tugged the panties free from their hanging place, holding them closer to examine their finer details under the dim lantern light.
A sudden, impulsive desire took hold of him, and he raised the fabric delicately to his face, breathing in deeply. The subtle musk of feminine arousal greeted him first, its seductive aroma interwoven with an enchanting sweetness that ignited primal instincts deep within his chest. His tongue flicked out briefly, tasting the damp fabric, and Malik's heartbeat quickened at the intoxicating flavor—an alluring cocktail of vulnerability, allure, and raw passion.
"Hmmm," Malik murmured playfully, whispering directly to the enticing garment. "Now why, I wonder, are you hanging here all alone?"
Lost briefly in his fascination, Malik was oblivious to the subtle hissing sound above, triggered when he'd tugged the garment from its carefully placed position. The clothesline released, causing a hidden mechanism to engage silently. Malik's senses suddenly sharpened, the change in air pressure alerting him just moments too late.
His eyes widened as the hut's thin wooden walls slid dramatically away with a mechanical hiss, revealing beneath them a startling network of explosive tags. They covered every inch of the structure's interior—a meticulously prepared trap that had patiently waited for this very intrusion.
Malik raised an eyebrow in mild astonishment, his voice tinged with ironic humor despite the impending chaos. "Huh, well ain't that funny..."
In a swift crescendo, the paper bombs detonated in rapid succession, filling the confined space with a deafening roar. Blinding flashes erupted, flames consuming the wooden pillars and flooring, instantly turning the modest hut into a swirling inferno of fire and splintered wood.
The blast shook the earth, sending debris soaring skyward as the once-quiet clearing was now bathed in smoke and firelight. Outside, Kakashi had barely lowered his book, his expression replaced by alarm and resigned irritation, already preparing himself to deal with whatever unexpected complication Malik had managed to uncover this time. "I looked away for 5 seconds . . . and this happens!"