The Herald of Heaven and Earth

Chapter 20: A Blood Moon

Kubaksuru massaged his temples as he listened to the loud pandemonium that arose from the magnificent hall in which the Lords had gathered. He nodded to the servants and as they opened the large carved door he strode in to greet the boisterous guests who sat arguing around a huge mahogany table.

“Welcome,” He said in a loud commanding voice that made the noise die down and a sea of heads turned to him.

He noticed that among the Lords and their generals, were Miroku, Sango, Koga the wolf prince, and a plethora of strange humans he did not recognize. They were a rainbow of colors and a multitude of whispered accents covered the hall. After studying them a moment he continued. “I assume you have been educated as to why you have been summoned here?”

At that question the Lord of the South, a powerful looking dragon demon rose to his feet. “Lord Kubaksuru, how have these halls fallen so that I must break bread with humans? Where is Sesshoumaru? Surely he does not condone this… insult!”

Sango’s eyes narrowed and Miroku had to grasp her hand so that she would not have reached across the table and attempt to strangle the arrogant demon. “Have you heard nothing we said? There are more important matters at hand than ignorant prejudices,” she said angrily.

The Demon Lord of the East, an elderly white haired wolf demon nodded his head in agreement with the humans across from him and glared at the dragon demon. “Lord Daichi, have your lands not been plagued by the touch of Naraku? My grandson has seen proof of what they speak. A vast legion of undead warriors, humans and demons. They pillage the villages of my region and too much innocent blood has been spilled.”

A human who had been silent stood to his feet and gave the Lord Daichi a cold look. He was impressive for a human. Tall, muscular, and a fair honest face. His blond hair was trimmed closely to his face and he was adorned in a strong foriegn armor that was beautifully crafted. Though he stood eye to eye with a demon that hated him, his deep voice held no tremor and was clear with confidence.

“Demon Lord, you may not care if my people are eradicated from the earth but I have heard that it was the will of the God to end this ancient evil. Who are you to go up against that will? Even you have someone you must answer to one day and what will you say? He turned his green eyes to Kubaksuru and held his head proudly.

Next to him another man arose to his feet, his cream robe contrasting beautifully with his dark skin. “There has always been a hatred for one who is different from those who think they are superior but now we face something that could destroy everything. It will not be long before the evil you call Naraku will reach my homelands and yours.” He said softly in a strange accent. He turned his dark eyes to glance at the other humans and then looked back at the dragon Lord. “It will be only a matter of time before he covers all you know and love with a blanket of darkness.”

Suddenly a musical voice lit up the room and startled eyes raised to seek out who spoke. “Every culture has a great evil. No matter what continent one resides on, where there is good, there will always be the threat of evil.”

A murmur of agreement rose from demons and humans alike then suddenly through the doors came Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru. A hush came over the room as all eyes stared at the demon brothers. They were both adorned in pure white kimonos with gold accents inlaid on the sleeves. Their weapons securely held by the golden obi’s that was tied at their waists. However beautiful they were, the room seemed to grow ever more quiet as they saw a radiant woman appear between them. Her blue eyes seemed to mesmerize everyone and many had to remember to breathe as her beauty was breath-taking.

Kubaksuru watched in pride as the heavenly trio stood to the head of the table and surveyed the silent hall. He noticed particularly that while many of the guests had bowed their heads reverently, Koga continued to stare at Kagome. He kept his eyes glued to her until the wolf prince’s grandfather slapped him upside his head and hastily apologized to Sesshoumaru for the cub’s insolence.

Kagome smiled at the old Lord and raised her hand as she addressed the dragon. “Lord Daichi, I was born in the future and in that time your race was almost nonexistent. It is humans who have survived over the centuries but, even then there are those who have been hated for being different. Whether it was because of their color, culture, or religion.”

She paused as she felt a childlike presence around her and glanced toward the door. She smiled gently when she saw that Rin and Shippo had escaped Jaken and was peering in on the gathering. The halls occupants watched in stunned silence as she opened her arms to envelope the children in a loving hug and she contined her dialogue with Shippo nestled in her arms and Rin holding her tightly around her waist.

"It does not matter when the battle is decided but how it is fought... You can change the future of our world. Not for yourself but for your children and their children’s children.” She fell silent as she took in the many eyes that gazed at her and her children in rapt attention.

Finally the Lord Daichi sank to his seat with a humbled look on his face. “Forgive me,” he said as he turned sorrow filled hazel eyes at the humans across from him.

“Now is not the time for remorse Southern Lord,” Sesshoumaru said quietly. “My mates and I have just been informed that Naraku is making his way to the West.”

Inuyasha nodded as he placed a reassuring hand on Kagome’s back. “The entire Westernlands have answered to this call of urgency, and every able bodied human and demon will fight against Naraku.”

“There will be no doubt that many will lose their lives in this battle but only you can decide if we will victorious.” Kagome said passionately. “This is not just my fight but it belongs to you… the entire world… What will you do?”

Slowly, one by one every human, every demon rose to his feet and faced Kagome. Then each brought their fists across their chests, pledging their allegiance to the destruction of Naraku.

Leaving Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha to deal with the questions of the partial army Kagome and Kubaksuru went to tuck in Rin and Shippo, then walked outside to the garden. Time seemed to have flown by since the arrival of the Lords and it was now late in the evening. A cold wind blew as Kagome raised her head to look at the cloud barren sky. She studied the moon with interest as it was not its normal pearly white, but a dark orange tinged with red. All was silent as she tried to spot a star in vain.

“The calm before a storm,” she said quietly. She turned uncertain blue eyes to her father and grasped his hand in hers. “All that has happened in both the past and the future has led up to this moment, and the time is fast approaching when the fate of the world will be decided, but do you think we will succeed?”

Kubaksuru gave a small smile at his beautiful daughter and placed a kiss on her forehead. “The Supreme One knew what he was doing when he decided to place this task in you and your mates hands. He never gives anyone more than they can handle.” His smile grew broader as he rested his hand on Kagome’s belly. “Remember my child, where there is good, there will always be evil, and there is still much more to the story of life to be told.” He watched as she turned awe filled eyes up to him and she gently covered her hand over his.