Once there was a land with well plowed fields and and hamlets. It was rich and fertile land fading into a magical forest. The rivers were full of cool clear water.
This land was Edo, and its ruler was Inuyasha, Lord of the Eastern Lands. Inuyasha was a great and powerful demon. He was a warrior with great power, even though he was merely a half demon, none dared challenge him and his legendary Tetsusaiga.
Inuyasha was of average height, with a lean, wiry frame that belies his massive strength. He had a thick mane of waist-length silver white hair, golden eyes with slit like pupils, claws on each digit, and short fangs in his mouth. His ears were furry and pointed like those of a dog and feel like "five uncooked Chinese dumpling shells atop one another." His nose, despite appearing normal, was always damp unless he caught a cold, in which case it dried out. Inuyasha had many balls and filled the palace with treasures and servants. He would always invite all of Edo, including the nearby kingdom of Azumano into his palace.
However, no matter what he owned or did, Inuyasha remained a reckless, immature, selfish Lord.
Adeline and Yann had brought their ten-year-old daughter, Christelle, to the ball to meet the famous Lord, and she sat on the windowsill reading A Fuedal Fairytale.
Christelle was young, but she had long ebony hair with braids woven within. Her eyes were bright blue and her skin was pale.
"Why are you reading this stupid book?" Inuyasha snatched it.
"Give that back you brat." Christelle's eyes flashed.
"No. It's stupid." Inuyasha said. "Why come to a party if your just gonna read?"
He ripped a page from the book with his claw.
"Y-You're just a beast!" Christelle shouted, snatching the book back.
"Why you—" Inuyasha raised a hand to strike her but—
The wind howled and blew open the great front doors. People shivered as the snow and cold blew in.
Inuyasha turned to see an elderly miko.
The miko had long silver hair which she kept tied behind in a long ponytail and her face was adorned with various aged creases and wrinkles. She was of short stature with slightly bigger build. The miko was seen wearing the traditional dress of a miko, which has remained essentially unchanged to this day. She wore a white jacket with sode-kukuri (cords) through the sleeves and the open shoulders. Strings called muna-himo were attached to each lapel, and were tied in front to keep the garment in place. She wore bright red hakama, which include the small board at the lower back. On her feet, She wore common tabi (socks with a split for the big toe) and rice straw sandals.
On her shoulder was a long bow and a quiver of arrows.
"My name is Kaede." Kaede said. "I have come seeking asylum in your palace. In return I offer you this rose."
She held out a beautiful rose.
"You think I would let you stay in my home where you could purify me in my sleep, in exchange for a flower? Just how stupid do you think I am?" Inuyasha said, hand on his blade.
"Do not be deceived by appearances, Inuyasha, for beauty is found within." Kaede said.
"Begone miko! You are not welcome here!" Inuyasha shouted and threw her to the floor.
Kaede's haggard appearance melted away to reveal that she was truly the young, beautiful, and powerful miko Kikyo!
"W-Wait a second, I'm s—" Inuyasha began but Kikyo silenced him.
"Silence! There is no love in your heart! You are, as the child said, a BEAST!" Kikyo presented the rose to Christelle, the whirled on Inuyasha. "And beast you shall remain, until you can learn to love another and earn her love in return. But that will never happen. For who could learn to love a beast?"
As she spoke, Inuyasha screamed as his fangs and claws lengthened. Inuyasha's sclera turned deep red, his irises became blue slits with white pupils, jagged purple stripes appeared on the sides of his face. He had become a full demon. He howled into the air.
Kikyo vanished, and pandemonium ensued. The guests ran for their lives, and the servants had been transformed into strange forms.
All that was left was Christelle. She studied the rose in her hand, realizing that it was enchanted and thus the demons only life line. Gathering her courage, Christelle strode over to the howling demon and held out the rose.
"I'm sorry I called you a beast, Lord Inuyasha." Christelle said. "I hope you find what you are searching for."
He snarled at her and snatched it away. "What I'm searching for does not exist!"
Christelle fixed him with an intense gaze. "Love is real Lord Inuyasha. And it exists for everyone. Someday I'll prove it to you."
With that she was snatched by her desperate mother and father and drawn out of the castle, where Lord Inuyasha remained, alone, time not touching him, for ten years.