Animosity
Chapter Two
By Shizuka na Kaze

Kagura of The Wind knew what she was supposed to do; find the comb. Unfortunately for her, she had no idea where to start. She asked around, of course, bullying lesser demons about Yura of The Hair, but none seemed to know.
Luckily, she soon caught a break. While wandering, Kagura came upon the old woman known as Kaede, whom she knew to be the younger (or rather older now) sister to the priestess Kikyo. She decided that questioning this old hag was the best plan of action that she had right now.

ye demon! Kaede cried as Kagura swept down to her. I be a priestess, ye be warned!
Kagura arched her eyebrows. Do you not remember me, witch? Ah well, no matter. I come seeking something.
Inu Yasha is not in this village. Leave before ye cause unecessary turmoil. The old woman ordered, her bravery returning.
I would strike you down for that comment, were I not in need of your assisstance. I seek only the red comb used by Yura of The Hair. Inu Yasha is not my target today.
Kaede was quite puzzled. Even if I knew the whereabouts of this comb, I'd not tell ye. I'm not one to help an evil incarnation of Naraku.
Smiling wickedly, Kagura hissed, Oh, so you do remember me, then? How lovely. Well, if you won't help, then I'll just be forced to kill you. How does that sound?
Wind Scar!!
Kagura flipped through the air and out of the way of the half-demons attack. Hm. So Inu Yasha is here. Perhaps I can ask him.
Damn! I missed! Inu Yasha slung Tetsusaiga over his shoulder and stood, smirking nonetheless, before Kagura. But I guarantee that if you try to hurt that old hag again, I won't miss.
...Inu Yasha. Where are your companions?
At the well, bidding farewell to Kagome.
I see. Then you've time to answer a question for me?
...Maybe...
Still grinning, Kagura asked slowly, Where is the comb that when broken, destroys Yura of The Hair?
It was Inu Yashas turn to look puzzled now. Yura of The Hair? Why?
It is my business.
Well...I don't see any harm in telling you. Kagome broke the comb by the Bone eaters well. I dunno if its still there, of course. But I answered your question, now you answer mine. Why do you want that comb?
Snatching a feather from her hair, Kagura answered. It is said that brushing your hair with that comb will make it the most beautiful in the land. Is it wrong for a woman as beautiful as myself to desire such a thing? She hopped aboard her feathery transport and was gone.
Well... Inu Yasha mumbled, scratching his head. I suppose theres no harm in that. He shrugged off the strange feeling he had, and returned to the well.

Naraku! Kagura called, feeling quite proud of herself. I have discovered the location of the comb!
Naraku, who had been sleeping peacefully, stirred slightly. With a tired moan he opened his eyes and sat up. Mmmnn...Kagura. What have I told you about storming into my room?
Looking flustered, Kagura answered, I am not to do it if I wish to keep my life, I know! But Naraku I have found the location of your precious comb!
So...Where is the comb?
Oh! I haven't acquired it yet. I must first wait for Inu Yasha and his comrades to vacate the area. Starting a fight wouldnt be one of the best ideas right now, now would it?
Naraku inclined his head. But, where is the comb located?
The Bone Eater's well, if it still lies near where Yura was defeated. Kagura began to fan her face lightly and smiled. She hated Naraku with a passion, but somehow, when he praised her for a job well done, she felt wonderful, even liked him ever so slightly. She could sense that he was about to do just that.
Kagura, you worthless twit! I do not want to see your face again until you return here with both pieces of Yuras comb, do you understand?
Her smile turned into an angry glare. Yes, Naraku. She virtually spat his name out as though it were like poison on her tongue. Turning away quickly, she quietly tromped down the hallways and out of Narakus well-guarded palace.
Why, that ungrateful...Kagura was positively seething. She tried not to get too angry, lest she try and take her anger out on Naraku.
Well, she had no time to dwell on her hatred for him. Much as she loathed the thought, she had lots of work to do...

Wait for me, Lord Sesshoumaru! Trotting happily behind Inu Yashas demon brother was Rin, a young human girl. She had adopted Sesshoumaru as a surrogate caretaker. Or...Had Sesshoumaru adopted her?
Rin was about eight years old, with long, shaggy black hair. A single tuft of it was pulled back with a band on the top of her head. She had big, sparkling brown eyes and the most charming, childish smile. Rin wore a dirty red kimono that was torn in places. She had no shoes, but her peasant state never once dampened her spirit when she was with Sesshoumaru.
The dog demon, Sesshoumaru, was the last person that anyone would expect to see caring for a human girl. He was a self-proclaimed human hater, and that was why his adoption of Rin was so surprising.
He stood at about six feet, three or four inches, with long shimmering silver hair and haunting yellow eyes. He had an angular face with a crescent moon on his forehead, and two red slashes on each of his cheeks. He wore a gorgeous silk kimono with a blue and yellow sash around his waist. Slung over his right shoulder was a long, fluffy object, although no one was quite sure as to what it was. At his belt were two swords. Tenseiga, with which he saved Rins life, and Tokijin, with which he nearly took his half-brothers life.
The demon Lords nose twitched, his ears perked. A scent, accompanied by the rush of wind, met him. Naraku... He mumbled. Without another word, he changed his direction. Obediently, Rin and Jaken followed.
Naraku is near... He thought, his slitted yellow eyes narrowed. I still owe him for the Jewel shard that nearly destroyed me. A wicked smile contorted the demons features and he trudged onward, down the dirty path before him, and into Forest of Inu Yasha.

Dear sister, I hear a strange word in the village. An incarnation of Naraku is about, looking for our combs! A haggard old demon that resembled Urasue croaked the words, slowly approaching her equally old and decrepit twin sister.
Hmm? Naraku, you say?! That isnt possible. Why would he bother with some simple combs? Perhaps your aged ears misheard?
The first wrinkled an already wrinkled nose. Nay, I hear correctly, Baba. Worse yet, from a passing crow I heard that the demon Lord Sesshoumaru is coming in this direction as well.
Baba chortled and ran half of a broken blood red comb through her long, ratty white hair. Yaga, my dear sister, now I am certain you are mistaken. Why would Sesshoumaru be here, in the forest of his damnable half-brother?
A commendable question, old woman. Purred a voice from the shadows. Rin, you desired a comb with which to comb your hair, did you not?
Yes, I did, Lord Sesshoumaru!! Chirped a young girls voice.
In the dimly lit cavern, the sound of steel on very aged flesh echoed throughout. Sist-aaack!!! The sickening sound again came. There came then the thud of a body hitting the ground. Rins stomach lurched as the thick scent of blood assailed her nostrils. She felt a warm, sticky liquid reach her bare feet and yelped, jumping backward. Eeew! Lord Sesshoumaruuu!
Jaken, sidestepping around the two bodies, snatched up half the comb and darted back to his Lords side. I retrieved the comb, Lord Sesshoumaru! He announced, obviously looking for praise.
Thank you, Jaken. Now, search the other corpse for the other half. Sesshoumaru ordered sternly.
Whaaat!? Lord Sesshoumaru, you cant be serious!!
The handsome demon took the small red comb in his right hand and inspected it carefully. Im quite serious, Jaken... Hmm...so this is the comb that Naraku wants, eh? But why? Why is it so important that he would send Kagura to find it? Ah well. It doesnt matter. As long as I possess it, Ive got the upper hand on him. Sesshoumaru handed the comb down to Rin.
I...uhh...found the other half, my Lord...
Good work, Jaken. Give that to me now. Sesshoumaru snatched it from the imp and hid it away in the folds of his kimono. Oh, and go wash all that blood off in the stream outside. I wont have my traveling companions looking like animals.
He stood by while Rin and Jaken splashed about in the stream, but all of his attention was fixed elsewhere.
A short way off in the trees, Sesshoumaru saw something that came as an omen to him. One of Narakus clay puppets, donning the usual white ape pelt, sat crouched amongst the thick branches of an alder.
Rin, Jaken, do not move from this spot. He ordered as he headed toward the ghostly spectre.
Of course, Milord! Rin chirped.
Much to Sesshoumarus liking, Naraku didnt even so much as flinch as the distance between the two was closed. So, youve located my comb, Naraku hissed, dropping out of the tree. Give it to me, then.
Im afraid I cannot do that. With all the speed and the grace of a cat, Sesshoumaru lunged foreward and hacked the doll to pieces with a clawed hand.
Before he could even relish in this small victory, a blood curdling shriek cut the air. Rin!! He turned and dashed back through the trees to the cavern where he found Rin and Jaken both quite dead. Beside them stood Kagura, smiling smugly. Sesshoumaru put two and two together when he saw that her fan was dripping with blood. Also, Kagura held in her hand the half of the comb that Rin had held. Hmph. Youre only seconds too late. I thought you, Sesshoumaru, of all people, would know better that to leave a young human girl alone with a treasure such as this comb.
KAGURA!! You broke our contract! For this, you will pay with your life. He drew from his side Tokijin, the incredibly powerful sword forged by Kaijinbo, who was overtaken by its strong demonic aura.
Have you forgotten entirely about Tenseigs? Its not as though the girl is permanently dead. Oh well, no matter. I will withdraw for now, but I will soon come back for the other half of this comb, which I can clearly see in your robe. She slipped her half into her long, silky blue black hair, plucked a feather from it, and was quickly carried away on the wind.
Damn her. Sesshoumaru breathed, sheathing Tokijin. He knelt down, drawing Tenseiga, and pulled Rins lifeless form into his arms. The soul snatchers... He whispered, searching desperately with his narrow yellow eyes. It wasnt too late; he saw them! Just as they were vanishing with Rins soul, he cut them all in two.
The girl cooed and opened her eyes. Lord Sesshoumaru?
Without a word to her, he let her go and stood, cutting too through the demons around Jaken. Lets be off now.
Lord Sesshoumaru, she took my comb! Rin wailed.
He dug the other half out of his robes and handed it to Rin. Use it only when you need to and make certain that you return it to me in my hand when you are done.
Yes, Milord!