Beauty and the Beast by Ardentlover

Beauty and the Beast: Prologue

Prologue

                The demon world was separate from the human world. Many humans went their whole lives without ever encountering a demon, which they preferred. Though, they were ignorant of the demon territories that possibly kept them alive without their knowing.

France remained in the rule of the Inu-Youkai Family, under the Inu no Taisho;The Great Dog Demon. He prowled throughout France and maintained a steady control while expanding his territories and keeping a strong alliance throughout Europe.

Fate so have it killed the Great Dog Demon, leaving his eldest son, Lord Sesshoumaru, in control of the lands, and his second son and half-brother of Sesshoumaru, Inuyasha, a valuable inheritance of northern Spain.

                Sesshoumaru proved to be a great ruler, he maintained the borders and expanded them twice the size they were when left by his father, and in less the time it took his father to try. Though what Sesshoumaru excelled in power he lacked in compassion. Sesshoumaru was known for being merciless for insubordination and disloyalty. He punished much more than he rewarded. No one disobeyed Lord Sesshoumaru.

                Sesshoumaru built a great castle in the east of France, the Ardennes Mountains. The castle stood atop a mountainous plateau, and overlooked countless villages which received protection for their loyalty to the Dog lord. Humans were as much unaware to the change of power as they were to the demons that surrounded them. And Lord Sesshoumaru forbade interaction with the human world because the Lord detested nothing more than humans; they were weak and a nuisance to him. And it was because of his hate for humans, he sought to vanquish his half brother, Inuyasha:  who was also half human, and take over his inheritance. 

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                In the midst of his preparations to lead a force against Inuyasha, a haggard human woman appeared at Lord Sesshoumaru’s castle.  She was all too aware of the great Lord’s rule and the demons that surrounded her world. She came begging for the protection of her village which was being threatened to be attacked by a German army. Sesshoumaru was disgusted and angered that the woman dared to appear before him, much more ask for his protection. He turned her down, and before he could enact any punishment to the woman, her body began to shine with unholy powers. Her ugliness melted away and an enchantress appeared before Lord Sesshoumaru.

                Though stunned, Lord Sesshoumaru did not falter in his order to capture to her. The demon soldiers were flung back and the enchantress began to place a curse on Sesshoumaru.

                “Lord Sesshoumaru,” she said in a voice as sweet as honey, “I came to you for a request of help. And with your denial, I can tell there is no compassion in your heart. “

                Lord Sesshoumaru became angry and prepared himself for his own attack on her, but his body was immobilized. He could not even speak.

                The enchantress continued, “The hate and anger in your heart will only lead to your demise, Lord Sesshoumaru, and I seek to change you. I place a spell on you that will turn you into that which you so detest--human, by night. And you shall also take under your care this human babe.” A baby appeared before Lord Sesshoumaru, sleeping peacefully. “Do not think that you can kill this baby, for it is connected with your life. If she is hurt or killed, you shall also suffer the same fate.”

                Lord Sesshoumaru grew ever more furious, and felt his youki power rise; he would not let himself be put under such a curse. But it was too late, his power was instantly sucked away from him; his claws were reduced to simple hands, and his royal markings erased from his alabaster skin.

                “You shall be given fifteen years. If you cannot love and have compassion for all living beings, you shall remain a full human for the rest of your life. Night and day.” She paused to place one single finger on Lord Sesshoumaru’s chest. ”If you cannot love a woman and earn her love in return, you shall remain powerless and weak. Your empire shall fall, and those around you will betray you.” And with that she disappeared.

                Lord Sesshoumaru was unbound and stood stunned. The babe began wailing in displeasure from being awoken. The soldiers surrounding Lord Sesshoumaru stared in awe at the two. Their lord was no longer full demon, in the least, during nightfall. They would know better not to turn on him, even during this temporary weakness. Lord Sesshoumaru, even human, looked dangerous and foreboding.  

                “Lo-Lord Sesshoumaru,” said a squeaky voice and the head butler of the castle, Jaken, came forward and bowed, “Our loyalty to you shall not change and we shall do all possible to take this foul curse off you.”

                The rest present also bowed in respect, some with hesitation. And all that was heard was the babe’s crying.

Inuyasha characters (c) Rumiko Takahasi

Beauty and the Beast (c) Disney