The Herald of Heaven and Earth

*Authors Note* Finally the last chapter :) I wish to thank all of those who took the time to review and rate. I hope you guys continue to do so. Your feedback has been amazing and has inspired me to write more. Thanks again... Be blessed.


Epilogue: To Every Thing There Is A Season


Many months had passed since the great battle had been fought and won by the Goddess and her protectors. The taint that Naraku had over the land had subsided along with the Shikon Jewel and everywhere in Japan a newness began to spring forth. It seemed a utopia where demons and humans had finally put aside old prejudices to work and play along-side each other, and many devoted souls traveled to the Western Lands to pay homage their saviors. The former battlefield had become a place of sacred reverence. With the threat of Naraku destroyed, the world was settling into a time of sweet contentedness.

One bright morning on the eve of a new moon, two humans of a village close to the western lands were journeying home. They had just come from a pilgrimage to witness the birth of the Goddess and Lords of the West's child, a baby boy named Zen.

The elderly man and woman were fortunate to catch a glimpse of the child and they were talking longingly of his beauty when they saw a flash of silver in the forest. Curious, they began to follow it. Soon after being led to a dark patch, they heard the pained grunts of a woman. Glancing to each other in puzzlement and fear, they hurried into the brush and gasped as they peered through some branches at the sight that met their eyes.

Above the canopy of the trees came a bright wave of light, that illuminated the darkness of the forest. It surrounded a heavily pregnant woman with blood red eyes who lay panting and groaning on the ground. She looked warily at the humans and with a pained scream she threw her head back and her hands flew to her extended belly.

Kagura almost expected the humans to flee at the sight of her but to her amazement the old woman knealt down beside her and ripped a piece of cloth from her kimono to mop the sweat beading from her brow.

“Don’t worry dear, we’ll take care of you…”

The demon woman almost laughed scornfully at the tender administrations of the human but instead a scream tore from her throat as another intense contraction overwhelmed her. Slowly the pain began to subside and she mentally cursed herself for leaving the protection of her new friends, and the humans who were beside her noticed her red eyes begin to dim slightly. Kagura took no notice of the concerned humans as she remembered a day that seemed not too long ago.

*Flashback*

Kubaksuru’s eyes studied the freshly dug graves that lay before him, and a lone tear coursed down his cheek. “These warriors who fell, will always be remembered. Many of these brave souls came here knowing that this would be their last battle and yet they still persevered. They’ve given their lives for the greater good of mankind. From this day forward this land will be hallowed ground, and never shall their memory be forgotten.”

As Kubaksuru fell silent he heard the murmurs of the warriors behind him saying prayers of farewell to their fallen comrades. As the stubborn tear on his chin finally fell it landed upon the green of the grass and he continued to stare out into the field until he felt the hand of his daughter come to rest on his arm.

With a gentle smile Kagome outstretched her palm toward the graves and suddenly the ground around the entire field alit with a blue glow. Wordlessly he studied her as the glow began to fade and purple statice flowers began to sprout upon the bare graves until they could be seen for as far as the eye could see.

“For remembrance, father.”

Kagura took in this small miracle and marveled at the blue haired woman who was filled with such compassion, and suddenly she felt ashamed. She looked over to Kohaku who was nestled in the embrace of his sister and even Kanna seemed content among Kagome’s family. The world was free of Naraku’s evil but who would want such a creature such as she.

However, Kagura continued to study Kagome as she walked up to Kohaku and Koga and gazed at them serenely. “It is time I took the shards back now. I must offer up the sacred jewel to be given to the guardian once more.”

Nervously, Sango grasped her little brother’s shoulder and pulled him to her. “Kagome, y-you can’t… I mean if you take the shard from Kohaku he’ll die,” she pleaded tearfully.

Kohaku looked up at the beautiful woman requesting the very substance of his existence and his eyes grew determined. Gently he patted the trembling hand of his sister and knelt before Kagome, ignoring the soft weeping that came from Sango.

“Sister, I was not meant for this world. I should have died that night when Naraku killed our family, and I have committed many misdeeds while I was under his command.” He turned his head back to her and gave a sad smile. “I hate it when you cry Sango…”

Kagome watched as Miroku wrapped his arm around Sango’s waist and lent her some of his strength and support. She saw a hopeless resignation in Sango’s eyes and it saddened her greatly. Kagome’s heart went out to her friend and her brother, especially when he turned his brown eyes back to her and whispered a soft: “I’m ready.”

Gently Kagome placed a hand on Kohaku’s head and looked to the heavens as if in a silent plea and after a few moments her eyes settled upon the two siblings.

“Do you trust me,” she asked quietly.

Kohaku raised his eyes to Kagome’s and he nodded. Then he saw her smile and felt her place her hand on the spot in which the shard was embedded. His sight was blinded as he was enveloped in a bright light.

Sango gasped as she watched as her brother was bathed in the light and then fell backward into Kagome’s arms. Wrenching herself away from Miroku, she dropped to the ground next to them and caressed Kohaku’s cheek. As she bent over him two tears fell upon his closed eyelids. Surrendering to a overwhelming wave of pain Sango lowered her head to his chest and began to sob brokenly. She continued to weep until moments later a raspy voice startled her.

“I- I told you I hate it when you cry, sister.”

Shocked beyond all reason, Sango sat back in astonishment, tears still glittering in her eyes. “Kohaku?” With a half strangled scream of joy, she wrapped her arms around her revived brother.

Kagome transferred Kohaku into a grateful demon-slayer’s arms and turned her sights upon Koga. She chuckled as he crossed his arms and began to shift about nervously. As she stood and began to approach him, she began to giggle as this was the first time that Koga had ever backed away to get away from her.

“Come on Kagome you don’t really expect me to fork over the shards do you,” he asked fearfully as he ducked behind his grandfather and peeked at her from behind the old wolf’s shoulder.

“I should’ve known that mangy wolf would give you trouble Kagome,” Inuyasha said as he eyed Koga evilly. “Do you want me and Sesshoumaru to hold him down for you?”

Outraged Koga leapt from behind his hiding spot and growled at his long time rival. “As if you two dogs could hold me,” he snarled. “I’ll take you both down!” Just as Koga was balling up his fist to make true on his threat he gasped as a hard hand came out of nowhere and smacked him upside his head.

Rubbing the growing lump on his cranium he looked over to the scowling elder wolf. “This is no time to be picking a fight pup,” he scolded. “You must give the Goddess the jewel, it is her duty to restore it and place it back into the Guardian’s hands.”

Seeing his grandson somewhat yield, he continued. “You once told me of this Kagome. How you loved her and would do anything for her.” He raised a bushy eyebrow as Koga’s eyes rounded in surprise. “Are you going back on your word? Did you ever truly love her?”

Koga fell silent as he looked at his grandfather with a strange light in his eyes. For a moment he stared at Kagome, who had remained quiet throughout this exchange.

“If you do not wish to relinquish the shards I shall not force you Koga,” she said softly.

He continued to stare at her and then bent as he took the last two remaining shards from his legs. Then coming to stand before her he studied both the jewel and Kagome for a moment and then reached out to grasp her hand. Ignoring the growl coming from Inuyasha he brought the petite hand to his lips and kissed her soft skin, then turned it over to place the shards into her palm. “I would always do anything for you Kagome,” he said softly as he placed his hand upon hers.

“Thank you,” Kagome said smiled at the handsome wolf and gave him a kiss on his cheek.

Kagome closed her eyes as she placed the shards of the jewel with its almost whole counterpart and a purple glow surrounded her as the jewel fused together. Lifting her hands in silent prayer, the glow became stronger until the jewel transformed into a brilliant ball of purple energy. Suddenly it lifted from Kagome’s hands and shot toward Sango.

The demon-slayer gasped as she felt a warm feeling spread throughout her body and suddenly feeling dizzy she fell back into Miroku’s arms. “W-what happened Kagome.” She asked in confusion.

Kagome studied her friend and then her blue eyes lit up in realization. “I prayed that the jewel would find the of soul its guardian, and it appears that it has…”

Sango shook her head fearfully. “Are you saying that I’m the Shikon Jewel’s guardian now?” She was about to continue her tirade when she felt Miroku’s arms encircle her again.

“You are the mother of the future guardian, my beautiful Sango.”

Inuyasha grinned as he saw the amazed shock register on Sango’s face. “Well Miroku it seems like you’ve found someone to bear your child.” He smirked at Sango’s expression of pleased embarrassment and Miroku’s sheepish grin of satisfaction.

Kagura began to feel even more alone as she listened the friends and families happy banter and she began to slink away when a voice called out to her and stopped her in her tracks.

“Where are you going Kagura you don’t have to leave. You could stay with us,” Kohaku said.

The wind sorceress stared back dazedly at the boy who had come to be her brother in bondage. She trembled as she thought of the vast possibilities before her and as the weight of the situation began to settle in her mind she fell to her knees sobbing. To be a prisoner for so long, to have committed such foul deeds, to have the threat of death promised to her with each passing day and now… To suddenly be free. With so many choices spread in front of her when in the past she had none, it was daunting to say the least.

As her shoulders continued to heave with her labored weeping, she was unaware of the eyes of her former enemies upon her. She started when she suddenly felt a gentle hand caress her cheek and tilt her chin upward. Reluctantly, she gazed up at the owner of the tenderness extended to her. Instead of seeing coldness, and hate upon the face above her, she gasped at the understanding love in the Goddess’s eyes. Feeling both ashamed and humbled, Kagura tried to turn away from the radiance that captivated her.

“How can you stand to touch me,” she whispered sadly as more tears cascaded from her haunted eyes.

“Everyone deserves a chance,” she said gently as she gently pulled Kagura to her feet and clasped the sorceresses hands firmly in her own. “It was not your choice to be bound to Naraku, and I cannot place the blame of the father upon the daughter.”

Kagura stiffened as she felt a tremor course throughout her abdomen. Her eyes suddenly dimmed as she turned her gaze back toward Kagome. “Do you really mean that,” she asked in an eerily prophetic tone. Then realizing what she said, her face melted into desperation.

Kagome’s eyebrows furrowed as she saw the play of emotions flash upon Kagura’s face and without a moment’s hesitation she pulled the distraught woman into a fierce embrace. “I mean this with all my heart.”

As Kagura succumbed to a torrent of weeping, she was unaware of Kagome’s friends surrounding them and placing soft touches of reassurance on her shoulders.

*End Flashback*

Kagura gasped as a strong contraction hit her and arched her back. Her mind began to wander once more as the pentacle of her labor was nearing.

She had decided to stay with Kagome for awhile and the two had grown quite close. However, her happiness was short-lived. A couple of months into her new life, Kagura found out that she was with child. Not wanting to wish any ill or burden on Kagome, the wind sorceress announced that it was time for her to leave, much to the Kagome’s dismay.

Promising that one day she would return, Kagura set out, unaware of the little silver haired girl that followed her. When Kagura realized that Kanna had left the shelter of their new home and friends, she had tried to dissuade the girl from following her.

“You fool. Why did you come,” She sneered angrily.

Her expression softened when Kanna came up to her and grasped her hand. After studying her little sister, she continued on her path, never releasing the little appendage sheathed in her own.

“I promised Kagome I would look after you,” Kanna said quietly.

Chuckling with vague amusement, Kagura thought of the woman back at the Western Lands and smiled sadly.

“Suit yourself.”

Ever since then, Kanna was her shadow. The two were never seen apart but as it became closer to the time when Kagura was going to give birth, she desperately wanted Kanna to return to Kagome.

“You must go to her, let her take care of you!”

Kanna shook her head defiantly and her grey eyes flashed. “I’m not leaving you.”

In a fit of frustration, Kagura struck her across the cheek and watched as the girl crumpled to the ground. Ignoring the tears welling up in the girl’s eyes, Kagura began to stalk away. Before she disappeared into the forest she looked back at her sister, still holding her cheek while a few tears rolled over her hand.

“Forgive me my dear one, but you’re better off without me,” Kagura said as she let a few tears of her own escape.

Kanna watched as Kagura left and for months she traveled alone. Trying to find her sister. It wasn’t until a week before that she found her. Very pregnant and sickly looking. Not wanting another dose of her big sister’s venom, she shadowed Kagura’s footsteps once more, although more discreetly.

However, on this day Kanna could see that Kagura was going into labor, and if she couldn’t help her then she would make sure someone did. It was then that she found the two elderly humans and lured them back to her sister.

She knelt in the brush, watching as the elderly woman sweat nervously as she helped bring a new life into the world. Suddenly Kanna’s blood chilled as Kagura let loose with a pained scream.

For a few moments she heard nothing but silence until there came two quick slaps and a loud wail. Sighing with relief she sat back but then she heard the human woman begin to panic.

“Oh no, I can’t stop the bleeding,” she cried.

Hearing this Kanna burst from the bushes and ran to her sister. Collapsing beside Kagura, she grasped her bloody hand.

“Sister…”

Kagura coughed lightly as her quickly dimming eyes focused on Kanna.

“You came back…”

Kanna began to cry as she bought the hand that was diminishing of its warmth to her cheek.

“Shhh… Don’t talk it will be alright.”

Kagura smiled at her then looked at the humans that held her babe, swaddled in the man’s shirt.

“Let me see my baby,” she said weakly.

The human woman gently placed the baby in Kagura’s arms and the wind sorceress looked down upon the innocent little face. Opening the cloth slightly she saw that the babe had a shock of black hair and crimson eyes. She gasped as she noticed a few downy black feathers from behind the infants back and when she held the child up she realized that not only did the baby have tiny wings, but that it was a little girl. Bringing her child to her bosom she gazed at those who surrounded her.

“I want you to take care of my baby. Raise her in love and forgiveness.” Kagura turned her lidded eyes to Kanna. “Give her everything that I could not.”

Kanna watched as her she placed a gentle kiss on her child’s forehead. “I love you my little Kaiya.” With an exhale of breath Kagura’s eyes closed and her hand fell limp. The baby, sensing her mother’s passing let out a piercing screech and the human woman reached for her, but before she could lift her from the dead woman’s chest. Kanna scooped the baby up.

She eyed the humans and then her expression turned soft as she looked down at the baby in her arms. “You should feel honored that my sister has allowed you to raise my niece, but know this, I will be her mentor. She is a demon child and will have inherited great powers from her father. If you try to interfere I will not hesitate to take her from you.”

The human woman stared at the intelligent child with the streak of blood on her cheek. This little girl who seemed a woman in her eyes and speech. Then looking upon the body of the woman that bore the special child, tears sprang to her eyes. “We will raise her as if Kaiya were our own. We promise you that we would never hold her from your teaching. We are just pleased that the Supreme One would finally grant us a child. It is a pity that it was in this way though,” she said sadly.

Kanna studied the woman and her husband and then stood. Placing the baby into the woman’s arms she turned and began to walk away. Looking back at the couple holding her niece she smiled before she disappeared. As she melted away from view the humans heard her soft voice reach them…

“To Every Thing there is a Season And a Time for every
Purpose Under Heaven.”


*The End*


Ecclesiastes 3 (King James Version)

King James Version (KJV)


Ecclesiastes 3

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;

6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;

7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.


(I hope you enjoyed this story, it was my pleasure to bring it to you)

*The Statice Flower*: Tiny delicate flowers, violet flowers,
with white flowers emerging from the bunch.

The white flowers symbolize the “silver lining”
of every dark cloud.

The good that comes from the opportunity
for growth and learning from the past trauma.
The meaning of these flowers is rememberance

“Miracles happen, in Heaven and on earth.”