A/N: Alrighty then. I'm grabbing some things from the original French fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast and from the Disney version and putting them together, but of course I'll be throwing in my own things in there. Also the characters I'm going to be using for this are Kishimoto's Naruto characters. The only characters that belong to me are: Gamila, Humam, Akram, Aswad, and Gamal.
The story is basically a Gaara story... OCxGaara :)
Disclaimer: Naruto belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, Beauty and the Beast is written by Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, and then theirs Disney's animated retold version.
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Once upon a time in a far off desert land a young prince lived in a bright and magnificent palace. Although he had everything his heart desired the prince was spoiled, selfish and unkind.
But one day on a cold winter's night an old beggar woman came to the palace and offered him a single desert rose in return for shelter from the cold desert winds.
Repulsed by her haggard appearance the prince sneered at the gift and told the old woman away but she warned him not to be deceived by appearances for beauty is found within and when he dismissed her again the old woman's ugliness melted away to reveal a beautiful enchantress.
The prince begged for forgiveness but it was too late for she has seen that there was no love in his heart and as punishment she transformed him into hideous being and placed a powerful curse upon the palace and all who lived there.
Ashamed of his inhuman form the prince hid himself away inside his palace and a small gourd that held enchanted sand when if opened will crystallize and form itself into glass and therefore being his only window to the outside world. The rose she had offered was truly an enchanted desert rose which will bloom until his 21st year.
If he could learn to love another and earn her love in return by the time the last petal fell then the spell would be broken. If not, then he will be cursed to remain a monster for all his life.
As years passed by before him, he fell into despair and lost all hope for who could ever learn to love a monster?
~* * *~
Gamila. Her name meaning beauty and it fits her just fine for she is quite a beauty to behold. Her long dark brown hair reaching up to her lower back and dark brown eyes that were neither too narrow nor too wide but the perfect size to fit on her beautifully tanned features.
She lives in a small town with her father. All the cooking, cleaning, and washing of clothes is done by her while her father, Humam, will desperately try to make money with making toys.
She hasn't always lived like this though. Just a year ago she was living in a grand house filled with servants and surrounded by beautiful gardens and her attire of clothing would usually be of dresses that European women would wear but she wouldn't wear them all the time. She felt much more comfortable wearing just a simple white dress.
Her father would of given her anything she liked but never would she ask as something like jewelry and clothing but of small things like a good book.
But all that came to an end when all of her fathers cargo that was shipped out was caught in a storm and all fell to the bottom of the ocean along with the ships. Since all his ships sank there was no way for him to send out more cargo to be sent off for trading and he couldn't afford to buy any more ships for that wasn't the first time it has happened.
And here they are now along with what little money they have left. Gamila never has done chores on her own but she learned fast and never minds doing it.
"Ah, all done," she wiped the beads of sweat from her brow with the back of her hand and scanned the clean floor and dusted furniture's. Proud of her finished work she put the broom against a wall and ran towards the door then grabbing a brown cloak hanging near by. She opened the door and took a step outside on the dry land, feeling the hot afternoon wind on her face then wrapped her cloak over her tan colored, long sleeved shirt and began walking through the village.
Gamila held her hands behind her back as she looked at the buildings of the village. They were all made out of what looked like sand that has been mixed with water and dried out in the sun. When touched it has a rough texture. Most of these, or maybe all, are houses that held what seemed like four families living in it.
Blocking the clear blue sky are always clothes hanging on a rope from one building on one side of the street to another on the other side of it.
Though living all her life with great riches around her, Gamila was never oblivious of the world around her. She knew how people, not as rich she, lived especially through all the books she read.
Everyday was like the day before in the town. Merchants would try to sell fish, jewelry, fabrics, vases and even useless things that people would waste their money to buy before finding out that it's a fake.
Although it was a big experience for her to move into a small town she has become bored of the life here. She wanted more than anything to have adventure and romance like the kinds she reads in her books.
Gamila became quite popular among the town's people with her beauty and all during the past year. Many women envied her and the men wanted to take her in as their wife but there was something about her that set the whole village off and that is her way of thinking and love of books.
She thinks unlike any other woman and it is not of custom for women to think so much. Also she is the only female in the village who can read.
Reaching up to her destination she stepped inside a small building with a dark purple curtain as its door.
"Ah, Gamila, hello there," came a voice of an old man on a ladder putting a book back in its place.
"Hello, Akram. I have come here to get another book."
"Another!"
The small, round old man carefully came down the ladder and walked up to Gamila.
"Why... You were just here yesterday. You finished it already?"
"Oh, yes," Gamila's voice rang out, "It was wonderful."
"Hmm," He looked down at her hands but didn't see the book, "Then uh... Where is it my dear?"
Gamila seemed surprised herself as she took a look at her hands, "Ohh. I'm so sorry. I must of left it at home."
Akram crossed his arms over his chest.
"B-but I promise I'll bring it tomorrow."
He stroked his long white beard a few times as if thinking, "Ah keep it. Your probably the only one who reads that."
Gamila put on her brightest smile for the man showing how much she was grateful for his kindness, "Thank you so much."
She walked past him to the end of the shop and searched the shelves of books.
Picking one to her liking she thanked Akram again and went on her way back home.
Not being able to wait any longer she began reading the book on the way.
The town whispered to each other as Gamila walked by them, but she took no notice of them though for her thoughts were completely absorbed in the book.
A man came by and spotted Gamila in the distance. He was tall, built and very handsome. All the young woman wants him and will do anything to catch his attention but his heart is set on only one woman.
Gamila.
From the first time he laid eyes on her he wanted her and has been trying his best to impress her so she will marry him.
He ran up to Gamila and stopped her in her foot steps once getting in front of her.
"Good morning, Gamila."
"Ah... Good morning, Aswad."
"Hmm. Reading again I see," He said as he took the book from her hands.
"Aswad, give me back the book please."
"Why are you always reading? You know you're the only woman here who can. Why won't you be like the rest of them and focus on more important things," He glanced her way, "Like marriage?"
"Well because I'm just not interested at the moment. That's all."
She grabbed the book from his hands, "Now if you will excuse me I must be on my way home."
Aswad let her go on her way for he had business to take care of, "You will marry me, Gamila."
~***~
Once getting home her father came running to her with pure joy written all over his face.
"Gamila! I have something to show you," He grabbed her hand without waiting for a response and took her down stairs to his workshop.
"Come and have a look."
He pulled out a wooden box that has been polished and intricate designs carved into the lid and on the back of it he winded something.
Gamila looked up at him and he smiled at her as he opened the box.
Music began to play and she looked down to see a small female figure dressed in a dancers clothing.
Long red pants and a top piece where the stomach and shoulders were revealed and gold jewelry worn on her ears along with a gold flower worn in her hair. She is shaking a tambourine while spinning in a continuous circle along with the sweet melody being played.
"Father, it's lovely."
"Isn't it? I will be the first to sell this among the streets at a reasonable price where everyone in our land can afford it unlike the English kinds that are sold among the rich."
He closed the lid over the dancer, "I'm going to the next town up ahead and see what will become of this among the middle class then I will move up to the upper class and see what they will think of it."
He put the box in a leather bag, "I'm leaving today, Gamila."
"Today? Can't you wait till tomorrow?"
"I want to do this as soon as possible. I will only be gone for a few days."
Galina stood up straight, "Alright, Father."
Her smiled at her, "Thank you for understanding my darling."
Humam strapped on all the supplies that are needed for the journey onto his camel, Gamal, then hoisted himself up on the animal and grabbed the reigns.
"Goodbye, Gamila, and take care of yourself."
"I will, Father."
"Oh yes. Is there something you would like me to bring back from my journey for you?"
"No, Father. All I want is your safe return back home."
"Come now child there must be something. It's been so long since I've brought home a gift for you."
Gamila shook her head, "Alright. I would like... A desert rose."
"Is that all...?"
"Yes. Now off you go. I don't want you to be traveling during the night."
He nodded and made a sound with his tongue while he hit the sides of Gamal with his heel and off he went across the vast desert.
~***~