Beauty and the Youkai by Erynnn

Introduction: A Beast You Shall Be

The storm raged, as thought intent on leveling the surface of the earth. The wind howled through the thrashing boughs; rain pelted the sopping ground; lightning and thunder shook the skies. There was no moon glow to light her path and no trail or markers to guide her way. But no matter. These woods were not strange to her. From her, they kept no secrets. As she grew closer, she shrouded her true form beneath the image of a pallid old beggar woman. Her limbs retained their strength despite appearing as though the wind itself could snap them in two. Her pace did not slow, even as her back stooped and her long black hair faded to gray beneath the large hood of her moth-eaten cloak.

The gate creaked in the wind, gaping open. Slowly she ascending the stairs; she knew they watched from the stained glass windows and she must keep up appearances now. At this moment, the festivities inside would be coming to a halt as the master’s attention was called to the strangle old woman outside. Heart rate steady, the woman raised her frail fist to the heavy double door that shielded the castle inhabitants from her view and knocked twice. A mere moment passed before the tall young lord slung it open. His lip curled subtly. He glowered, towering over her hunched form. He did not bother to speak.

“Good Lord,” she began, her voice aged and cracking. “I ask that you allow me to shelter myself here tonight, for the storm is growing more fierce and I have no place else to go."

He remained silent, a scowl forming on his face.

Before he could wordlessly retreat inside, the woman fished a jewel out from her cloak. The little pink sphere levitated above her palm, emitting a subtle pink glow. “I can offer this, the Shikon no Tama, as payment.”

“Hn. I have no use for your useless jewels. Remove your disgusting haggard form from my presence.” He spat, baring his teeth at her.

“Do not be deceived by appearances!” she called as he began to close the door. “For beauty is found within.”

Growling, the prince stepped outside once more and squared his shoulders. “Be gone, or I shall rend your head from your shoulders.”

In a brilliant flash of pink light, the ugliness of the old woman melted away to reveal a beautiful young woman with porcelain skin and large brown eyes. The prince stepped back.

“You have failed your test, young lord, and you must be punished.” Her voice was loud and strong as she raised her arms above her head, palms turned upward.

He growled, moving sinking into a crouch.

“There is no love in your heart. You have the heart of a beast, and a beast you shall be!”

The lord’s knees buckled as his joints snapped and separated, his body transforming from man into monster. Fur sprouted; claws grew.

“I, Kikyo, curse you, your castle, and all who dwell within it. This curse shall remain until your 300th year. If you cannot learn to love and earn the love of another you shall remain forever and die a beast.”

The transformed lord doubled over in the dark, trembling from the pain of the change. His glowing eyes bore into Kikyo. She held out her palm and the Shikon pulsed. The lord clutched his chest and grunted softly as a deep clenching ache awoke with every pulse of the jewel.

“This jewel is your heart. It will blacken over time, as yours has. It will begin to crack and crumble. At the end of your 300th year, it will shatter unless you can learn to love. Then, the spell will remain forever.” The Shikon bobbed in the air towards him until it rested in his large palm. His thick fingers curled around it and he growled softly.

“Beauty,” Kikyo repeated, her figure shimmering, “is found within.”

As the enchantress faded into the dark, the beast rose to his feet. Lifting his maw to the roiling skies, he howled.

~*~

A/N: credit for the base story of this fanfiction goes to the creators of InuYasha and the creative liberties of Walt Disney. I only claim the small changes that I have made. Rating has been tentatively set to M. This may change later.