Chapter 26 Only Bad News

Kagura was kneeling on her flying feather high in the sky; following the Saimyosho. Only hours early they had returned bearing news that Naraku and the Wind Sorceress had not expected. So now Kagura was searching for Setsuko since her pact with Naraku was still in play. Feeling like nothing more than a messenger, having been given no other orders yet, she sighed in annoyance as the wind carried her along. Suddenly the oversized insects took a dive. They must have spotted Setsuko. Hopefully this would be over with quickly. Kagura had her own scheming to do.

Down below, lounging in the sun, a Lizard Demon was smiling happily. She lay there with her eyes shut imagining horrible things. It had been three full days since she had dealt with her brother's killer, and yet it seemed like so long ago. Setsuko lay there wondering whether she should try to find the body or not. She wouldn't be able to feast on it sadly, but she did want to at least see her handiwork. Nah, on second thought, she would rather not have to see that human's face again. A familiar sound reached her ears…a buzzing sound. Opening her eyes she immediately saw not only those giant bees that belonged to Naraku, but also Kagura. Not bothering to move, the Lizard Demon's smile remained in place. Shutting her eyes, Setsuko just waved away at her visitors.

"My deal with Naraku is done with. That Demon he sent with me died unfortunately, but the human is dead. He'll have to take care of Inuyasha and the rest himself." Setsuko said rather smugly.

"Oh, I'm guessing you haven't heard the news. Your concord with Naraku is not over and done with." If there was one thing Kagura like to do as a messenger, it was to deliver bad news to people other than Naraku. A grin crept up on her lips.

"And just how is that may I ask?" The Lizard Demon didn't sound worried as she rested smiling.

"Brent is alive and well…"

"WHAT?!" Setsuko bolted upright in half a second looking beyond livid. "THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE! THERE'S NO WAY MY VENOM FAILED!" She was now on her feet with balled fists and teeth grit.

"It would seem your prey received help from someone else who is after Naraku. A Wolf Demon named Koga."

"HOW MANY FRIENDS DOES THAT WASTE OF FLESH HAVE?!" Setsuko was practically screaming at the top of her lungs now.

"Oh Koga isn't friends with that human. He seemed rather angry about something concerning…Brent was his name?"

"DON'T SPEAK THAT NAME!"

Kagura remained calm with her own smug smirk. "If I were you I would get to work right away. Naraku is growing more displeased with every failure you provide. And believe me he is not one to be trifled with."

"I CANNOT FACE THEM ALONE! I NEED ASSISTANCE! THAT WAS PART OF THE DEAL!" Setsuko's chest heaved as a vein appeared on her forehead. Unrivaled rage seethed through her like a wildfire; so strong it was that Koga's anger would seem tame.

"And you will be provided with said assistance. So don't worry that pretty head of yours. Oh, a word of caution though. Koga possesses Shikon Jewel Shards in his legs, and can move far faster than you and I combined."

"I DON'T CARE WHAT HE HAS! HE'LL DIE ALONG WITH ANYONE ELSE WHO GETS IN THE WAY OF MY REVENGE!"

"My my. Such ferocity. Where was this before?" Kagura laughed lightly to herself.

Setsuko's breaths were quick and ragged; her eyes darted around as she tried to comprehend the situation, and think of a plan. How was it Brent survived?! That glow in his chest…that had to be at least some part of it! But what was it? She had never seen anything like it. And why would a Wolf Demon help him? There were so many questions she wanted answered, but they would have to wait.

"You know if I were you, I would try to kill them all at once. Perhaps you're clever enough to think of something. I've done my part here. The Demon who will assist you should arrive by sundown. Until then, you may want to cool off so you can think straight." Kagura plucked a feather from her hair which grew to the size of a canoe before she jumped onto it. "See you later…"

Setsuko was still inconceivably irate and red in the face. As the Wind Sorceress flew away a scream of anguish filled the air. Nearly tearing her own hair out, the Lizard Demon vented her intense frustration to the point that anyone else would have thought her lungs popped.

"This is all WRONG! I bit him…no one has ever survived MY venom! How…HOW?! And to make things more difficult he has someone else AIDING HIM! I'm going to tear him apart…rip the flesh from his bones myself! I'll eat his heart in front of him!"

Rustling sounds in the nearby shrubbery sparked her attention and ire. In one fluid motion she turned toward the source, shot her tongue out, and wrapped it around something. Retracting her tongue revealed it to be a deer that had caught her attention. The animal flailed about and wailed as it was dragged along the ground. Once it was close enough Setsuko took a firm hold of its neck and bit into it ravenously; jerking and twisting her head until she had ripped out a large chunk of bloody flesh. As the poor deer lay there dead, she spat the hunk of meat out and wiped her face. Setsuko stared down at her kill and watched the blood drain from its neck. Only she didn't see the deer; Brent was in its place. A horrified dead stare left in on his face; the color draining away like his life. She could almost taste his blood as she watched the illusionary Brent try to stop his neck from bleeding.

"You will suffer…so much worse...than this pathetic animal…Mark. My. Words."

As the day wore on, Setsuko feasted upon the deer she had killed in her incensed rage. Most of the torso was nothing but bone while the legs and head were barely touched. Compared to earlier she had grown more calm, but was still angry about the current circumstances. Just as she was promised a new Demon appeared in the distance, and was headed right for her. While the other minions she had been offered were male, this Demon was female, and utterly hideous. Most of her face was hidden by a hood, but a misshapen nose and gnarled teeth were still visible. There were several boils visible as well. When she spoke her voice came out as rather croaky and haggard.

"You are Setsuko yes?"

"I am. You have been sent by Naraku?"

"Yes. I am told you are looking to kill a human…"

"A filthy murdering human. What abilities can you offer me?" Setsuko had a plan in mind already, but that was without any prior knowledge of what this wench could do.

The ugly Demon smiled disgustingly and flashed her yellowed teeth. "Fear…"

For the first time since she had heard Brent was still alive, Setsuko smiled.