The Angel & Wolf (being edited)

The dreaded marrige

Her heart sank as all Shinto could do was lie on her bed. Feeling nothing but sadness, a fire of something swelling in her chest, she couldn't think of what it might be.

Sinta peeked through the small gap in the door; guilt drowned over the little sister. How could she cause so much pain for her older sister, who had been nothing but kind to her. She practically raised her, as Sinta's mother was a cold woman, always telling Sinta to be better than Shinto, to stay away from her sister, exceed any expectations her mother set for her.

Suddenly a familiar shing sounded. Sinta turned and found Johnny with a sour expression, "Johnny?" He tsked, tail swinging in irritation. "You might be able to tell me why Shinto has put wards around her room. I can't get in there."

Sinta's arms slackened to her sides, "that would be because Archangel Balor is making Shinto become his bride."

His pink pupils widened, "an arranged marriage...but why? That man has no love in his heart for Shinto! He thinks her a curse."

"It's exactly as you've said...he intends to marry her because he thinks it will cleanse Shinto. She- she doesn't want anyone to see her in such a sorry state, as she put it."

The little angel's bottom lip began to tremble. Johnny put on a consoling face, "hey, Sinta, what's got you so upset?"

Those piercing yellow eyes looked right into his. "Because It's my fault!" She flung herself into his arms; he wrapped the girl in a comforting embrace. "How in hell is this your fault?"

As best as she could get out in between sobs, she said, "b-because I-I sent her down there! I-I condemned her to this torturous arrangement!"

He rested his cheek atop her head, "now that just isn't true at all; Shinto would never think that any of this is your fault. You only did what you thought was best for her; you gave her a moment of freedom on earth, even if the consequences were meeting that damn dog. But besides that, you did an amazing thing for our beloved."

He let her go and wiped the remaining tears from her face. "We need to be strong for Shinto. We'll get her out of this; I will stop this."

Sinta's eyes widened, "Johnny, you can't! Balor is way too powerful for a single person!" He sighed and scratched his head, "I know...that's why I'm going to need some help. Ah, damn it! I never thought I'd be doing this. Take care of Shinto for me; I'll be back."

"What are you-" but before she asked the question, he'd zapped himself home. To work on a plan.

The moment he'd gone, a certain nasty man appeared with a smug grin. Balor. "Archangel, what are you doing here?"

"I'm here to see Shinto; she needs to try on the dresses I've organised for her to wear. See which one she looks best in. I do hope you'll be your sister's bridesmaid; after all, your family is being bestowed an honourable opportunity. Now Sinta. Move aside."

She couldn't fight him, so biting her lip to the point of drawing blood. She stepped aside and watched them enter; the instant look of dread on Shinto's features hurt Sinta. Deeply.

<>
(Back to previous day)

Inuyasha folded his arms across his chest, "you want to help?"

His pink eyes darkened, "I need your help because Shinto does need to be saved. She's being forced into a marriage with the Archangel."

Everybody's eyes widened at the same time. Inuyasha felt his heart fill with rage, "seriously?!"

Johnny went on, "for the past couple of days, Balor has been putting Shinto through agony. Planning decorations and dresses for her and their audience. All the while making comments about her, trying to ingrain how evil her devil side is into her mind."

Kyo and Inuyasha both growled in unison. Inuyasha cracked his claws while Kyo's tail bristled and ears stood alert. "Well then, what are we waiting for?" A cocky attitude hid the anger and worry behind his grin.

Kyo looked at Koga then at Johnny, "tell us what to do."

Johnny smiled a fraction, "that's what I like to hear. You have to meet someone first since all the entrances to the place are being guarded, and Sinta can't help us. I found the only way I could." He gestured his hand at a tall woman who walked into the hut with the utmost grace.

Inuyasha's jaw dropped, "you look a lot like Shinto."

A soft yet mature voice left the woman's lips, "I am her mother, after all." Kyo cocked her head; Koga had to hold in his laugh at the action.

"Where are your horns, fangs and pointy ears?"

"I am masking my appearance so I do not bring attention to myself. Being who I am, I will bring unwanted visitors to myself."

Inuyasha accidentally let his mind run his tongue. "You're beautiful." Johnny's tail shot up and stiffened, shooting a glare the dog's way. "How dare you!"

The lady brought her sleeve up to her mouth and chuckled. "It's quite alright. Someone at my age barely receives compliments." Her cheeks were tinged a light pink.

Kyo coughed, "I hate to ruin the light mood, but how can you get us in?"

"I am the ruler of Kavan; therefore, I can lead you through a portal to Tallis. Not my own, as we have terms about me crossing to their side and vice versa."

"So that's why you can't stop the wedding?" Inuyasha asked.

"I'm afraid not...among many other things that include personal reasons."

Johnny looked at his ruler, "Lady Ai, I believe sooner is better than later."

Ai gave a nod and lifted both her hands, palms laid flat.

Kyo slid her fingers along Koga's arm just resting above his wrist and pulled him along. "Come on."

"Kagome, Miroku, Shippo and Sango you guys stay here. We have enough man power."

Ai spoke, "are we all ready now?"

They nodded, and Ai made her mouth into an 'O' shape and blew onto her hands. A black mist produced from her mouth and spread to the four of them and sucked them into a hole that formed in the middle of Ai's hands.

It all happened in seconds as they felt their bodies bending and stretching unnaturally until landing before a swirling black abyss rotating in a circle.

Koga placed his hands on his knees and threw up. Kyo and Inuyasha followed suit. Johnny waited til they got over their travel sickness. "Happens to everyone their first time going into holes and portals. Now I'm going to need you to put these on."

He lifted white dresses and robes for them. Kyo scrunched her nose at the outfits, "why do you want us to wear those?"

"It's part of the plan; you must look the part. I've made fake invitations; the clothes have a grey stone on them that will hide your different demon lineage. Balor will think you're just another of his angels."