"Rai!" Iruka shouted her name as he bolted over to catch her body. He skidded back on his feet and left knee. He glanced at Rai's body before glaring up at Makaigenshu. 'How dare he talk about Rai like a tool and treat her body like a used rag!' Iruka thought. Makaigenshu laughed. After all, she was human… wasn't she?
"Why do you insist on helping her when she has already left this world? That's nothing but an empty shell, a corpse." Kakashi watched Iruka. Iruka gritted his teeth and held back a growl. Suddenly, Rai's body began to disintegrate from top to bottom, fading into the air. Iruka looked down and gasped, but she had vanished.
"Rai," He whispered. He looked at his hands as if he was still holding her. He balled his fists and shut his eyes, gritting his teeth. Kakashi raised his lip, gnashed his teeth behind his mask, and glared deadly at Makaigenshu. Most of the people were in shock, however, some turned their attention back to Makaigenshu and glared at him. Oh, how Makaigenshu loved this feeling, this feeling of rage, anger, and killing intent. This is what he thrived on and loved. Iruka stood up, fists balled at his sides. Makaigenshu chuckled at Iruka, and then looked over the group, spotting Kakashi.
"Well now, White Fang…" He chuckled. "I see you lived long enough to see my reign of this world you tried to prevent with those futile seals." Kakashi just continued to glare at the demon accusing him as his father. … "Hmm… pity... you couldn't protect the daughter of the woman you were sworn to protect." He began to walk down the steps. "Now," He disappeared and, as if in slow motion, appeared in front of Kakashi and grabbed his throat. Time resumed and Kakashi found himself forced back by his throat against the wall. Everyone gasped. Dust kicked up late. "To repay you for that torturous hell you confined me in!" Makaigenshu raised his free hand and stiffened it for a piercing strike. His hand began to glow an eerie green. ... Kakashi grabbed the demon's wrist and struggled against his hold. Suddenly, the glow ceased, and Makaigenshu cocked his head to the side slightly and took in several whiffs of air. Kakashi continued to glare at the demon, even though he was struggling. Makaigenshu sneered, "So," He chuckled a bit as he leaned in slightly. "You're not White Fang, are you?" Kakashi grunted. "You're his little brat." Makaigenshu released his claws from the wall and allowed Kakashi to drop to the floor. Kakashi crumpled in a pile, gasping for air. "And I thought you were supposed to be her body guard." He reached down, grabbed Kakashi by his hair, and forced him to look up into his red eyes. "And you were supposed to save her… pity…" He let go roughly and walked back to the altar, which now held a large throne like chair. As he passed through the group, shivers were sent down everyone's spine, due to the cold chill he emitted. Several grabbed their chests or collapses to their knees due to his immense aura. …"Your reign of this world has ended!" His voice echoed through the room. "Now…" Kakashi stood up, using the wall as a crutch. "It's my turn to rule." His eyes began to glow brighter. There was a rumble at their feet, a deafening explosion, and everything went black.
Slowly, one by one, they started to wake up. As they regained consciousness, they found themselves scattered about a plateau that over looked the whole valley. Black thunderheads rumbled fiercely over head as they crawled into the sky above Konohagakure.
"Alright, did anyone get that guy's number?" Naruto complained as he ruffled his blonde spikes. "And, man! What was his deal?" Naruto pouted as he crossed his arms and sat there.
"That guy isn't just any guy, Naruto." Asuma stated, sitting back on his heels. He just stared off into the distance. Shikamaru rolled up to sit cross-legged and cocked his head to the side, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Man, he packs a wallop…" Shikamaru muttered.
"You're tellin' me," Choji stated, looking over to his friend from his prone position.
"Then what is he exactly?" Neji was one of the first standing. He had his arms crossed as he eyed the Jonin suspiciously. Neji knew he was not human, he had seen too much to know that it was not even possible.
Asuma sighed before stating, "That was Sankaku…" He shifted to stand up.
"Or better known as Makaigenshu…" Anko stated as she started to brush herself off. "Better known as the Demon of Hell," She crossed her arms and closed her eyes, recalling something from her memory. "Surely you've heard of some rumors about him…" She glanced over the young ones. All of them stared at her blankly. "Okay," a sweat drop went down the side of her head. She sighed and then looked to the dark clouds in the sky. "He lures wandering and confused souls that haven't left this world towards him and tricks them into hell, where they remain for the rest of etern-" Kurenai elbowed Anko in the side sharply. Anko jerked sideways, uncrossing her arms for balance. She looked at Kurenai, who glared slightly at her as she took her left hand and pointed it in Kakashi's direction, right hand still on her hip. Kakashi was standing, his back to the group as he looked over the valley, sulking slightly. "Oh…" Anko sighed.
"So, he's a…" Ino began to state, her face taking on a look of concern and shock.
"Demon? Yes…" Iruka stated, glancing at the genin.
"So, explain this," Sasuke stated after watching the adults, "How come only some of you know who he is, if he's such a big threat?" Yeah, why did some of the adults know about him while others didn't? The genin looked around the group. They stopped on Gai first.
"It's something I knew because of my Eternal Rival." Gai gave his famous smile with a shine and his hands on his hips. Next was Asuma.
"It was part of my generation, I guess you could say." He turned his gaze away and rubbed the back of his head. Next, Anko.
"Some stuff I remember readin' when I got bored." Anko gave her big mischievous grin. Next, Kurenai. She just shook her head.
"I didn't know until we got here." She stated. Iruka was next.
"Rai was a good friend of mine," he mumbled and turned his head away from them. Then there was Kakashi, self-explanatory. Genma was up next.
"Don't look at me. I had no clue." He shook his head slightly and waved a hand carelessly. The genin looked at Tsunade who just turned around and walked to the plateau looking over the city. Finally, Shizune had some explaining to do.
"I never really knew about Rai being a demon, or her father, until Tsunade-sama told me back in the village." She explained.
"Speaking of which," Shikamaru stood up. "We need to get back there and fast!" The thunderheads rumbled overhead. The rest stood up and began to walk towards Tsunade. Tsunade had her arms crossed and gripped the sleeves of her jacket tightly, squinting down at the village.
"I fear it may already be too late…" She stated as the group congregated around her. The thunderclouds rained white lightning and darkened the sky. Slowly, the sky began to shift to a different color when a massive white wolf appeared out of nowhere.
"Wha-what is that thing!" The genin shouted. A massive horde of flying demons suddenly surrounded the canine. They looked like a swarm of insects surrounding the large beast.
"We need to get back to the village… NOW!" With that statement, they all disappeared in a puff of smoke. When they arrived, it was already too late. The demons had entered the village and ransacked it to ruins. Bodies of both kinds lay among the streets and buildings were set on fire and collapsing. Luckily, almost all of the civilians were herded underground to a safe house with Anbu guarding and sealing the doors with sutras. The smell of burnt flesh, hair, clothing, and wood filled the air. It was choking and brought tears to your eyes with the amount of smoke. The merciless Demon Lord watched with a sharp-toothed sneer.
"Go forth my kin and conquer this world in the name of Hell!" His deep voice echoed. Demons of every shape and size disappeared to the four winds; only 5% remained in Konohagakure.
"You!" A voice called out to the massive wolf demon. His massive left ear twitched and he turned to look at the faces. It was Tsunade standing atop them.
"So," He squinted his red eyes in slight annoyance, "You're still alive?"
"How dare you destroy my village!" Tsunade spat at him. She looked heroic standing there with the smoke and embers in the background, her hair and jacket fluttering behind her slightly. He chuckled.
"What village? Do you mean this?" He lifted his left paw and brought it down with force, shattering the buildings and ground. He chuckled at her with an evil grin. Tsunade gritted her teeth. Several ninja launched an attack on the large beast, throwing kunai, large weapons, and elements at him. He glanced at them out of the corner of his left eye; they didn't even ruffle his fur. "You humans are so foolish. Do you seriously think that will work on me?" Another wave came, this time it was bigger. "Tuh, pesky… Let this teach you!" He turned his head and took in a deep breath. His eyes began to glow brighter and he opened his mouth, breathing flames onto the onslaught and the village. He turned his head and aimed at Tsunade and the group that gathered behind her. Tsunade was prepared to take anything he threw at her head on. She brought up her arms and crossed her forearms in front of her face to block the flames.
"Hot… Hot… HOT!" Naruto jumped about as they were enveloped in flames. Makaigenshu shut his mouth after he thought they were done roasting. Smoke and the last lick of flames seeped through the tiny crevices in his sharp teeth before completely dying out in his mouth. As the smoke and flames cleared, a red tinted barrier surrounded the faces and, especially, the people on them.
"Hmm…" Sankaku squinted at the barrier in disgust. "I see my daughter has done more in this world then just befriend humans." They looked up and around at the barrier. "She seems to have left you with a parting gift." Sankaku gave them a lopsided smile. "No matter, it won't last long. Since she has left this world, her tricks will soon cease to work and that barrier will no longer protect you or this village. It's just prolonging the unavoidable." He sneered at them. He then turned around and head back northward.
"He's right, we can't stop him," Tenten stated.
"He's too strong," Hinata stated timidly.
"But he's right…" Iruka stated, "Certain jutsus do diminish over time, like barriers. But certain seals will not, no matter how many years pass, it'll stay there till the end of time."
"So, we're short on time." Genma stated.
"But how are we going to stop him?"Kurenai asked. A figure appeared from the right side of the faces.
"There might be another way…" Everyone snapped their heads to the figure. It was Kabuto; it looked like he had seen slightly better days. His clothing was dirty and ripped in several places and skin smudged with dirt, but other than that he was fine.
"Kabuto…" Naruto growled and went into a fighting stance.
"What do you want?" Sasuke asked turning to him and on guard for any signs of trouble.
"What anybody else wants…" He smirked, glasses glazing over with the light from the fire, "to get rid of Makaigenshu." All of them were in some state of shock.
"Well, that was a quick change of heart," Ino stated, arms crossed. She tossed her bangs by tossing her head up slightly.
"As I was saying, there may be a way…" Kabuto's smirk grew slightly, "If you are willing to cooperate." Several people got chills running up their spine.
"No thank you, Kabuto," Sakura stated, crossing her arms, "You tricked us once before. You won't trick us again." The group eyed him warily. Kabuto shrugged and turned around. He began to walk back the way he came.
"Suit yourself! Enjoy this demonic world!" He waved his hand lazily over his shoulder at them. "And you won't be able to possibly get even a sliver a chance to save Rai…" He glanced over his shoulder as he muttered this. Anko appeared in front of him, hands on her hips and leaning forward.
"What was that you just said about Rai?" Kabuto made the quickest stop in his life in front of the purple haired woman who was glaring at him suspiciously.
"What are you talking about?" Kabuto asked. Suddenly someone grabbed the front of his shirt and hoisted him into the air.
"Spill…" Asuma growled threateningly. Kabuto just raised his hands as if he had nothing in them.
"You guys don't want to save her…" He shrugged slightly. Several Jonin appeared behind Asuma and were glaring at Kabuto.
"We dare you to say that again…" Asuma growled. Most of the people got into a fighting stance, pulling out weapons or readying fists or palms for a battle.
"Put me down and I'll tell you." Kabuto bargained with him. Asuma let out a small groan in his throat as he placed the man down on the ground. "I can possibly help you get your friend back." He stated once Asuma's hands were removed from the front of his shirt.
"What's with the sudden change of heart?" Shikamaru asked, walking up behind Kabuto. He was surrounded, he had nowhere to run.
"Nobody wanted this, not even Lord Orochimaru." Kabuto shook his head and motioned to the village, "Just take a look behind you."
"You mean to say, Orochimaru wanted to do this, not Makaigenshu in his stead." Iruka accused crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Perhaps…" He smirked, "perhaps not… Lord Orochimaru just wanted use of his arms. That is all I am going to say."
"We can't trust him," Kurenai stated. "He's too much of a threat and we don't know if he's going to just lead us into a trap." The group nodded. They didn't know if he was still working with or for the demons. However, Rai did.
Kabuto turned and stated over his shoulder, "Suit yourself… but if you guys want to have even a chance to save your friend… by all means, follow me…" He started to walk off in the direction he came. The group parted slightly and watched him go. He smiled, not changing his gait when he didn't hear anyone taking the offer. Everyone hesitated and looked at one another. Finally, someone made the first step to follow Kabuto.
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune gasped. Tsunade stopped, arms still crossed. She closed her eyes and tilted her head down slightly.
"Like he said, nobody wanted this." She restated for the group. She opened her eyes and looked back up towards Kabuto, who now stopped and looked back at the group. "Even though I don't like the bitch, it's better than this." She began to walk after Kabuto again. Everyone looked at each other, first in slight shock, then an 'are you ready? Let's go,' look. And they all began to follow Kabuto.