Jigarei had Monk Roku on the edge of his seat, so to speak.  She fought him head on in hand-to-hand combat with fists and kicks, as did Monk Roku, though he took a few blows here and there.  After Monk Roku threw his left fist front, Jigarei evaded to the side, grabbing a hold of his wrists with her left hand and then quickly threw the back of her right fist to his stomach, knocking some air out of him, pulled her hand back and then shot her right elbow to his face.  Monk Roku groaned as his head fell back with his body, but Jigarei pulled him back and threw her left knee hard against his stomach, making Monk Roku gasped while hunched over his stomach, and then Jigarei slammed her right elbow hard down at the base of his neck, right over the spine.

Monk Roku fell to the floor facedown, gasping to catch his breath again.  Jigarei scoffed and then rose her right foot above her head and brought the heel straight down.  Monk Roku lifted his body a little from the floor and executed a swift sweep kick at Jigarei’s standing foot, but Jigarei back flipped from him, and Monk Roku used the force and motion of his kick to bring himself back on his feet.  When Jigarei landed, she dashed to him, zigging and zagging.  Monk Roku quickly reached into his robe and drew a spell talisman.

“Lightning Force Spell,” Monk Roku shouted, holding the spell at Jigarei.  Crackles of lightning appeared around the talisman and shot a strong and fast bolt of lightning at Jigarei, but it struck an after image.  “No.”  Jigarei appeared around him and executed a powerful round house kick at the back of Monk Roku’s head, throwing him through the air and hard against the wall.  When Monk Roku fell to the floor, he reached into his robe and pulled two spell talismans.  He looked over his shoulder and saw Jigarei walking towards him.

“Got anymore tricks up your sleeve, monk?” Jigarei asked.

“You shall see,” said Monk Roku.  The two talismans in his hand glowed with white light and he threw them at Jigarei.  “Soar Bright Arrows!”  The light of the two talismans transformed into six arrows and they shot at Jigarei.  She quickly drew her halberd and twirled it around her.  

“Roaring Wind,” said Jigarei.  Her halberd twirled faster and it deflected Monk Roku’s arrows, striking randomly around the room, causing destruction.  Monk Roku took this chance to charge at her, slapping a spell talisman on his arms.

“Ice Blades Spell,” said Monk Roku.  The talismans glowed blue-white, and his arms were covered in ice, extending out about a full twelve inches, and then he pulled back his left hand and lunged forward.  “Burn in Hell, demon!”

Jigarei grabbed his halberd with both hands and pushed Monk Roku’s attack with the tail of her staff and then swung her blade up, slicing his face.  Monk Roku fell back from the agonizing pain given to him by Jigarei, but more came when she slashed down on his chest, but only cut through the layers of cloth, dur to Monk Rolu backing away from her.  He kept his distance and glared at Jigarei.

“I will not lose to you,” said Monk Roku.

“No, you will die at my blade,” said Jigarei.  “You still have a choice in the matter.  You can die quickly or slowly.  Either way is fine with me, but I wonder how much you wish to suffer.”

‘It is you who will suffer,” said Monk Roku.  He held his stance with his feet outside shoulder’s width and his arms level at his waist, and then strange lights emitted from within his robe.

“Ooh, what do we have here?” Jigarei asked.

“I have increased my speed and strength five fold and now you shall die,” Monk Rok shouted.  He dashed so fast that he produced his own after images.  He believed that he would have an advantage against Jigarei.

“I told you that won’t help,” said Jigarei, and then Monk Roku appeared behind her, both arms raised above his head.  He swung hard down, but Jigarei raised her halberd horizontally above her head and easily blocked his attack, not even a flinch.  He wouldn’t stop there.  He leapt back from Jigarei and attacked her from her left side with a right backhand swing, but Jigarei turned her back to him and blocked his attack with her halberd invading his path; a successful block.

Monk Roku dashed around to Jigarei’s front and thrust his left blade in front, but Jigarei twirled her halberd in front, pushing Monk Roku’s attack aside, then Monk Roku thrust his right blade forward, but Jigarei swung the tail of her staff down, and then kicked Monk Roku hard in his hip, breaking his footing.  She then swiftly brought her foot down and did a hard back swing kick with her left heal, striking the back of Monk Roku’s neck.  He yelled as he fell forward, but then was hurled back against the altar when Jigarei swooped her foot around and kicked him right between the eyes.

When Monk Roku landed, Jigarei jumped up above him and dropped kicked him dead center in his chest.  The force of her blow caused all of Monk Roku’s talismans to cancel out, leaving him defenseless.  When Jigarei jumped off him, Monk Roku struggled to get back on his feet, turning on his stomach and forcing himself to stand up.

“I’ll give you this, monk, you got guts,” said Jigarei.  “For someone to be over a millennium old.  Speaking of which, when you look at it, you’re not much different than us demons.”  That irritated Monk Roku.  He turned sharply and then glared hard into her eyes.

“I am nothing like you bastards,” Monk Roku shouted, grunting through his teeth.

“You transfer your soul to every student you took on.  How exactly does that not make you like a demon, for that matter, how does that make you human?”

“I have my reasons, and they are justified!”  Monk Roku pulled out a black spell talisman with blood-red writings, holding it face front at Jigarei.  It glowed with both black and red light, crackling with energy as it built up its power.

“And what is that?”

“You death, demon!  No demon, no matter how powerful they are, none have ever survived the power of this talisman.  All have faced death and descended to the deepest circle of Hell.  Now it is your turn to share the same fate all those who suffered such in the past.”  Monk Roku held his feet on the floor and channeled his energy into the talisman, raising it above his head.  At that same moment, the Konoha Ninjas, Ujiro, and Tetsu threw open the doors and saw what happened inside, caught in still by surprise and the strong force of energy emitting from Monk Roku.  Jigarei paid them no mind.

“Well, this should be good,” said Jigarei.

“I call upon the eternal spirits of the underworld to come to my aid,” Monk Roku shouted.  “I beg of you to grant me the power of the passing, so that I may slay the demons before me, and send their souls to the circle of eternal damnation!”  Streams of red and black energy appeared and swirled around him, making his eyes glow red and gusts of energy shoot from his body, making the whole mansion tremble, the walls cracking and the pillars loosing balance.  Naruto got chills from sensing such power.  He crossed his arms in front of him as a means to protect himself from it, yet he believed that he wouldn’t be in any kind of trouble.

‘What the hell was that?’ Kyuubi asked.  ‘What is going on?’

‘It’s Monk Roku,’ Naruto responded.  ‘His chakra level is so high.  He’s also holding a black spell talisman in his right hand.  It’s energy is swirling around him.’

‘Let me see.’  Naruto opened his eyes halfway and peaked in Monk Roku’s direction.  It wasn’t much to Kyuubi, but it was enough for him to focus on Monk Roku’s appearance, the power that surrounded him.  His gaze then followed up his arm and in his hand, he saw the talisman in his hand, the marking glowing brighter and heavier.  ‘No!’

‘Kyuubi, what is it?  What’s wrong?’

‘Draw Toujin, now, Uzumaki.  You must protect yourself!’

‘Why?’

“Now, ye demons, perish in death and despair,” Monk Roku howled, and threw his hand and talisman to Jigarei.  “Wrath of the Eternal Dead!”  A powerful red and black energy wave shot from the talisman, casting off such a strong gust of energy that it brought down the ceiling of the chamber upon them.

‘Now, Uzumaki!  Draw Toujin and hold it before you!’  Naruto did as Kyuubi barked and held Toujin blade down.  ‘Toujin, Shield of Blades!’  Toujin immediately glowed red and its eight blades shot out, nine in all, and then they spun around the Konoha Ninjas so fast that they created a strong windy shield dome around them, deflecting away the falling debris.

Meanwhile, Jigarei held her ground with her attacking stance, holding her halberd behind her.  When the blast drew closer, her halberd shined with bright yellow light, casting off a few gusts of energy before her attack as she raised it above her head.

“Slash of the Cold Blade,” Jigarei cried, and the light turned pitch black.  With one strike down, her blade came in contact with Monk Roku’s attack, and managed to hold it back with little struggle.  Then wild streams flailed around the room causing more damage all around, and struck against the barrier, but was deflected with ease, yet with each blow, Naruto felt an icy touch grasping at him from inside.  He groaned with fear through each touch, frightened not knowing what it was, dropping to his left knee and his arms holding close around him, trying to stay warm or at least block the un-wanting touch.  

“Naruto, what’s wrong?” Sakura asked, kneeling beside him.

“I feel… so cold…” Naruto whimpered, tears breaking from his eyes and his breath quivering and rasp.  “I can’t… breathe…”  When Sakura’s hand was placed on his shoulders, she flinched when she felt how cold his body was through the warm cloth of his jacket.

“You’re freezing,” Sakura gasped.  

‘No,’ Kyuubi gasped.  ‘She couldn’t have mastered it.’

“What is this?” Monk Roku shouted.  “This is… impossible.”  Jigarei laughed as her eyes glowed with black light and then she deflected it back at Monk Roku who took the attack dead on in his chest.  He let out a deathly scream when he felt his very soul in an icy grasp, tightening around him, refusing to let go, however, with whatever luck he had, the talisman canceled out its own power.  The energy died out like a gasp of breath and Monk Roku fell to his knees, hunching over his stomach, clenching his right hand over his heart, while the Toujin stopped its defense and joined as one katana then Naruto dropped to his left knee.

“Do you feel your soul clinging to its last bit of life?” Jigarei laughed, walking up to Monk Roku.  “Is it not frightening?  Is this why you want to live on so much?  No matter, you will die tonight, and it shall be by my hand.”

“No,” Monk Roku, whispered.  His left hand shot at Jigarei with a talisman shooting to his hand, but before it even touched his palm, Jigarei, with her great speed, drew the holy staff from behind her back and then she drove it into Monk Roku’s chest and out of his back.  All eyes that saw gasped in fear as Jigarei raised Monk Roku above her, pike on the very staff he had guarded for centuries.  The head and the body beneath it was soaked in blood with the rest was poured over, soaking her hand and crawling down to her elbow.  Monk Roku could only gasp short amount of breaths, trying to hold on.

“Now I have all I need,” Jigarei chuckled, and then she threw Monk Roku aside like a rag doll, tumbling across the floor a few feet from the ninjas.

“No,” Tetsu shouted.  He tried to run to him, but Ujiro stopped him.  Jigarei glanced up and saw Naruto trembling.

“Did you feel it as well?” Jigarei asked.  Naruto looked up at her while the other ninjas took their stance.  “The icy, cold touch.  Frightening, isn’t it, boy?”

“Leave him alone,” said Sakura, strong and hard, drawing her kunai as she moved a little in front of Naruto.  When she took one step forward, Toujin glowed red and separated into nine swords again, burning with red chakra, as they stood in front of the Konoha Ninjas.

“Whoa, what the hell is this?” asked Ino, caught by as much surprise as the others.  Jigarei smiled and scoffed as the glow around her halberd and her eyes died down.  

“Don’t fret, humans.  I have what I desire.  I suggest that you all enjoy what moments you have left for in time, all that you know will be forgotten.  Until then.”  Jigarei leapt through the large gaping hole in the roof.  The katanas joined as one and the glow diminished.

“Was that the demon?” asked Tenten.

“Yes, it was,” said Tsunade.  “Looks like things just got a whole lot bigger.  All of you come with me.  We’ll check the ground with the other Kyoshi Ninjas to see if that demon is still around.  Sakura, help Monk Yen as best you can.”

“Yes, Lady Tsunade,” said Sakura.

“Let’s go,” said Tsunade.  The Konoha Ninjas followed Tusnade outside the same hole as Jigarei did, leaving Kakashi and Naruto behind.  Tetsu got free of Ujiro’s hold and then ran to Monk Roku’s side, kneeling beside him.

“Monk Roku, are you okay?” asked Tetsu, worried of his well being.  “Monk Roku?”

“Naruto, are you okay?” Sakura asked.

“Yeah, I think so,” said Naruto, feeling warmth caress him, as Sakura helped him to his feet.  “Thanks, Sakura.”  Naruto sheathed his katana and walked with her to Monk Roku with Kakashi behind them.  Monk Roku was breathing raspy and hard, choking on small amounts of blood in his throat while his wounds bled slow.

“Sakura, do you think we can help him?” Kakashi asked.

‘Let the bastard die,’ Kyuubi growled.

“I can try,” said Sakura.  She knelt beside Monk Roku and executed a series of hand signs.  When the last one was executed, Sakura’s hands glowed with green light.  She placed her left hand over her right and held them over Monk Roku’s wound.  Her chakra masked over the wound and seemed to be struggling to close it.  She tried adding a little more to it, but it was no good.  Sakura had no choice but to stop.

“What’s wrong?” Tetsu asked.

“I can’t do it,” said Sakura.

“What do you mean you can’t do it?” Tetsu barked.  “You are trained by a Sanin.  How can you not heal him?”

“Everyone has their limits, Tetsu,” said Kakashi.  “Sakura has reached hers.”

“It’s not that,” said Sakura, and all eyes were on her.  “His body is failing him.  No matter how hard I try, his wound won’t heal.  I’m afraid he… doesn’t have much time left.”

“No, I don’t believe that,” Tetsu snapped.

“Tetsu, it’s… all right,” Monk Roku groaned.  He opened his eyes and attempted a weak smile as he looked up at Tetsu.  “I wasn’t strong enough… to fight against that demon, but once I recover, I will… put her in… her grave.”

“I know you will, sir,” said Tetsu, smiling at his teacher’s strength.

“Tetsu, give… give me your hand,” said Monk Roku.  Tetsu held Monk Roku’s right hand with his own, wanting to feel his teacher’s strength, but then Monk Roku’s smile shattered and his hand tightened on Tetsu’s hand.

“Agh, sir, what are you doing?” Tetsu asked.  Suddenly, Monk Roku gave off a strong gust of energy, throwing everyone around him back while Tetsu stayed.  Monk Roku’s body then began to glow with white light as he stood upon his feet.  Tetsu tried to pull his hand away, but he began to feel his strength fading away.  “What are you doing to me?”

“What you were trained to do,” said Monk Roku, his voice becoming distorted, deep and heavy.  “I must transfer my soul into your body.  In doing so, my power will increase, and that demon will die.”

“You can’t do that!” Ujiro shouted.

“This is the destiny for all disciples,” said Monk Roku.  “They give the master both body and power so that they may become stronger so that they may continue to prevent the opening of the gate.  Even the monks of the sisters villages have done the same thing to their disciples.  It is our tradition, to ensure the safety of the holy staffs.  We have no other choice.  The upside is that you, Tetsu, shall go to Heaven for your sacrifice.  You have no choice but to succumb.”

His power grew and his eyes glowed with the same light as his body.  A talisman came out from his sleeve and he held it to his lips and began chanting.  The light around Monk Roku began to crawl over Tetsu’s arm and began to ensnare his body.

“Sir, please, stop this,” Tetsu groaned, his chakra and strength draining faster.

“That is enough,” Kakashi shouted.  “Sakura, with me.”  

“Right,” said Sakura.  They drew their kunai and charged at Monk Roku, hoping to sever his hold on Tetsu, but when their blades made contact with the light that surrounded his body, Kakashi and Sakura received a powerful surge of electrical energy coursing through their body.  They let out a strong yell and then were thrown back.

“This business doesn’t concern you,” Monk Roku shouted.  Two talismans shot out from Monk Roku’s sleeve and soared to Kakashi and Sakura, a binding spell that paralyzed their bodies with a strong electrical surge but with each struggle they made against it the talismans’ spell grew stronger, shocking them even more.  Their clothes began to smoke and their skin felt like they were burning from the inside.  “They more you fight, the stronger the talismans will become, and you will only cause more pain to yourselves, until you burst into flames.  You should’ve minded your own business.”

The talisman in his hand began to glow with gold light, signaling that his ritual was almost complete.  His hand then moved to place the talisman on Tetsu’s forehead, but before it could even brush across its surface…

“Crescent Wave,” Naruto shouted, and his attack soared at Monk Roku, severing both his arms, and the talismans on Kakashi and Sakura canceled out.  He yelled and screamed in dire pain, stumbling back from Tetsu who fell the floor, slowly regaining his strength.  When his screams feel to grunts and groans, he saw Naruto on his feet and Toujin in his hand, it blade glowing red.

“You,” Monk Roku groaned.

“I warned you what would happen if you endangered my friends again, you son of a bitch,” Naruto growled, his eyes slit.  

“You think you can kill me, boy?” Monk Roku shouted, drooling saliva and blood from the corner of his mouth.

“I will kill you,” said Naruto.  Four talismans, the same that caused Kyuubi’s mind to be dominant, shot out from his sleeves and at Naruto.

“Naruto, look out,” Sakura shouted.  Naruto held his ground and when the talismans came close he sliced through them like the pieces of paper that they were.  This caught Monk Roku by surprise.  Naruto held his katana with two hands, close to the center of his face and then another blade appeared.

‘You sure this will work?’ Naruto asked.

‘He is vulnerable,’ Kyuubi chuckled.  ‘And he will die.  You might even like this jutsu.’  Naruto let go of his sword and the two hovered beside him with his hands holding Rin, but whatever attack he was planning, Monk Roku would not allow him to execute it.  He charged at Naruto wildly, screaming at the top of his voice, but then two swords shot a flash of red light at Monk Roku, piercing his legs with two katanas, missing the main arteries, and their powers channeled into him, causing him harsh and searing pain, making him drop to his knees.  Zai then Kyo and the two katanas at Naruto’s sides moved in front of him as the swung down, their blades caressing against the other.  When the tips touched, they created a chakra string and extended it, bring the two tails of the hilts together and arch like a bow.

Naruto’s left hand held the hilt and his right hand held the chakra string.  When his fingers caressed it, the chakra turned silver and a chakra arrow as formed when he pulled the string back to his cheek.

‘Focus on the target,’ said Kyuubi.  ‘Mind his chakra, not his appearance, and the arrow shall strike him down.’  Naruto gazed hard at Monk Roku, trying to do as Kyuubi instructed, focusing his senses on Monk Roku’s chakra.

“You cannot kill me,” Monk Roku shouted.  “You demon!”

“I am not a demon,” said Naruto.  He found his chakra and the arrow emitted a harmonic tone.

‘Soar,’ said Kyuubi.

“Spirit Arrow,” said Naruto, and the arrow was released, soaring at Monk Roku, and Naruto collapsed on his knees.  He tried to dodge it, but the moment he flinched, the katanas caused him more pain in his legs, preventing him to move and the arrow pierced his heart.  He was thrown on his back and he took in a deep gasp of breath.  The two katanas removed themselves from Monk Roku’s legs and the four katanas joined as one and the arrow diminished.  He was caught in such shock as his blood and body grew ice cold; his skin becoming wrinkled and pale like an old man.

“No,” Monk Roku whispered, holding his left hand over his wound, feeling the blood flow out of it, drenching his palm and fingers.  “This… can’t… be… hap…pening.”  Naruto walked up to Monk Roku’s side and looked down at him.  He met his gaze and saw his eyes burn scarlet red, and that’s when he knew that Naruto was no longer there.

“You were warned, Monk Roku,” said Kyuubi, smiling sinisterly at him.  “You should’ve taken his advice.  Burn in hell, Monk Roku.”  Monk Roku quivered and trembled as he took in one last dying gasp, and shriveled up like a prune; his eyes rolling in the back of his head, his clothes decaying into rags, and a wisp of smoke expelled from his eyes, nose, and gaping mouth, until all was left was his skeleton and rumpled, decayed clothes.  Tetsu rose up to his feet and saw the remains of what was once Monk Roku.  He limped over to him and knelt beside him as Naruto walked away and helped Sakura and Kakashi to their feet.

“Is he dead?” Sakura asked.

“He is,” said Kyuubi.  When they heard a hint of his voice in Naruto’s, their gaze shot to him.

“Kyuubi?” Kakashi asked, surprised.  “What happened to Naruto?”

“Naruto’s tired out,” said Kyuubi.  “He’ll be back in a few minutes.  That Soar Spirit Arrow took more out of him than I had anticipated.  Oh, well, live and let learn.”

“You bastards,” Tetsu shouted.  He snared at them with tears breaking from his eyes as he rose to his feet.  “How dare you kill our village’s protector.”

“Have lost your mind?” Sakura asked.  “That ‘protector,’ just tried to take over your body and your powers.  How can you defend him?”

“He could’ve saved us,” Tetsu shouted.  “With his power and mine, Monk Roku could have saved everyone, and slay that demon.  I’ll make you pay for this murder!”  The moment his hands came together, Kyuubi threw Toujin at him, but stopped it with the tip pressed against his throat.

“Think twice, kid,” said Kyuubi.  “You still have a lot to learn about power and strength.  Get your priorities straight, then fight.”  Tetsu groaned through his teeth, irritated that he was at the mercy of a demon, but gave in and separated his hands.  Toujin flew back to Kyuubi and sheathed itself back in its scabbard.  Suddenly, the alarm was heard outside and a Kyoshi Ninja ran inside.

“Ujiro, sir, you better look outside,” said the ninja.  Everyone moved under the hole in the ceiling and looked up at the sky.  The full moon slowly filled itself with the color of blood as the clouds darkened with storm clouds filled with thunder and lightning.

“What is going on?” Sakura asked.

“Jigarei is summoning the gate,” said Kyuubi, clenching his fist.

“Send the ninjas to the village,” Ujiro ordered.  “Prepare for war!”

“Yes, sir,” said the ninja, and ran.  Ujiro looked to the Konoha Ninjas.

“I’m afraid to say that we may need your help,” said Ujiro.

“You got it,” said Kakashi.  “Tell my students and Lady Tsunade where to go.  We’ll help you in any way we can.”

“Thank you, Master Kakashi,” said Ujiro, and his attention turned to Tetsu.  “Tetsu, with me, now.”  Tetsu turned away from them and followed Ujiro out the door.

“How will Jigarei open the gate?” asked Kakashi.

“It will take time for her to open the Demon Gate,” said Kyuubi.  “There is the opening ritual, where each staff must be center itself in sync with the power of the Demon Gate.”

“And how long will that take?” asked Sakura.

“Depends on the summoner,” said Kyuubi.  “Jigarei is strong, but a Demon Beast doesn’t have the full capacity to open a Demon Gate, unlike a Demon Lord, so it may take a great deal of time.”

“So we find Jigarei and we kill her,” said Sakura, determined.

“We’ll see,” said Kyuubi. “Naruto will be back in a minute.  Go ahead, he’ll catch up with you.”

“I’m not leaving without Naruto,” said Sakura.

“You have my word as a demon that he will be there,” said Kyuubi.  “This is my proof.”  Again, Toujin glowed red and gave Sakura a katana.  “If Naruto doesn’t meet up with you in the hour, you can keep it as your own.”  Sakura wasn’t sure at first, but if a demon would wager something of value to him…

“I’ll hold you to it, Kyuubi,” said Sakura.

“Let’s go, Sakura,” said Kakashi.  When they were gone, Kyuubi cast a shadow clone as Naruto came back.  He was woozy at first but he shook it off.

“Whoa, how long was I out?” Naruto asked.

“A few minutes,” said Kyuubi.

“You know, next time, tell me what a jutsu will do to me,” said Naruto.

“You can nag at me later, boy, for now we have more important things to worry about.”  Naruto couldn’t help but look at the remains of Monk Roku.  Before he could speak… “Yes, Monk Roku is dead.”

“Where are Sakura and the others?”

“The village is under attack and every able man and woman is heading there to fight against Jigarei’s army.  They’re marching there as we speak.”

“Then we need to go and help them.”

“Wait a minute.  Jigarei has acquired the last things she needs to open the Demon Gate.  We have to go to the mountains and stop her from completing the ritual.  If she does, Hell on Earth will arrive and there will be little we can do.”

“So what the hell do we do, Kyuubi?  You got us between a rock and a hard place.”

“I don’t always make it up as I go along like you, boy.  I need to think of a plan.  Until then, go and help your friends as best you can, but do not give yourself away that your comrades will question you.”

“Fine.  I hope you come up with something and fast.”

“I’d like to see you try.”  The shadow clone vanished and Naruto ran to the village to help.