Author's Note: I'm Sorry! I blame lack of writer's block! I didn't except it too be this long. i will try not to be so bad next time. I didn't expect that level of response from the last chapter. I loved the amount of reviews, favorites and alerts. Also, I am not going to remain to the original storyline of my last story about Beauty and the Beast. Belle or Kagome WILL NOT end up with Gaston, BUT I am adding more to the story line and so Kagome must learn who Gaston is. Then we can all go back to hating Gaston. Enjoy this next chapter and tell me what you think. We are going to explore village life for a few chapters before heading into the main storyline.

12/22/17 Update: Here, I updated these first two chapters, so they made more sense. Chapter Three should be out soon!

Chapter I: Cinderella

The bells from the town square rang in Kagome's ears each morning, telling her 'it's time to get up!' Today, she had get up, make breakfast, clean up the house, tend to the animals along with the garden, attend church, serve drinks at the tavern for extra spending money, meet Agatha in the woods for her lessons and finally, go back to bed. Every day for the last two years, her routine gave her a purpose here, a sense of normality.

Kagome missed her family. She missed her old life. Who wouldn't?

Her brother's odd obsession with Inuyasha, her grandfather's various illness excuses and her mother's cooking. She missed those things in her life since the shrine fire. After that, she went to the feudal area, her friends moved on with their lives.

Here in this small village, cut off from the rest of the world, was her new home. A new home away from thieves, memories, magic and monsters. She needed things simple. A plain kind of day with a brown dress and white scarf. Kagome didn't want to draw too much attention to herself in this small village. Rumors spread fast and it was crucial that these townspeople left her alone.

She went outside to tend to Philippe and collect eggs for the omelets she planned on making. "Here boy." She beckoned the horse. "Come and get some hay." The horse trotted forward, bumping her elbow with his nose and nibbled on her hair. "Try not to eat my hair. I kind of like the length." She reached for the chicken feed, tossed it to the ground causing the chicken to flock to the seeds. Kagome reached inside their chicken coop and scooped up the fresh laid eggs.

After, she went into the kitchen to start the coffee because Maurice would be up soon after smelling it. Belle needed to be up soon to go the Baker's shop for more bread. Kagome walked to the other side of the house and knocked on Belle's door. "Belle?" There was no answer. Kagome peeked inside the room, smiling at what she saw next. Belle was asleep with her newest book on her lap.

Kagome hated ruining this moment, yet Belle had to get ready for the day. "Belle." Kagome went over to the side of the bed and opened the drapes, letting the sunshine in. "It is time to get up." Belle started moving around as Kagome went back to the kitchen to start frying the eggs.

Kagome poured a fresh cup of coffee for Maurice as he entered the kitchen for breakfast. "You are too kind Kagome." He took the cup from her hand and kissed her on the top of her head. He did the same to Belle early in the morning. "The garrison is going to be back in town. You will see that suitor of yours."

He smiled when he heard a small giggle coming from the girl. Gaston, the garrison Captain called on Kagome a few times before they departed for the war. Kagome and Gaston corresponded through letters the months he was gone. A few days ago, Gaston wrote, saying he was coming home to see his lovely sweetheart again.

Kagome flipped the egg over in the frying pan, "Gaston will no doubt be busy for the likes of me. He will pursue a lovelier maiden beside a lowly housekeeper with no name or connections." Maurice shook his head. His ward had no idea how lovely she really was with her black hair and crystal blue eyes. Kagome was one of the most beautiful girls in the village, who didn't need make-up to enhance that.

"The ways of war have changed that." Maurice said. "War can change people."

"Perhaps…" She took a plate filled with bacon, sausage along with eggs, placing them in front of Maurice. "I need to go to the market and the bakery, I will be back." Kagome waved goodbye before heading out to the market place.

Little town, it's a quiet village, Every day, like the one before
Little town, full of little people Waking up to say...

The market place was filled to the brink with people. They usually ignored her, but today for some reason, they seemed interested. A few years ago, Maurice told them a story about her family was a part of the international circus that recently visited the King, yet her parents were killed by bandits.

Bonjour! Bonjour!
Bonjour! Bonjour! Bonjour!

With her hair in a braid, Kagome walked through town with a smile on her face.

There goes the baker with his tray like always
The same old bread and rolls to sell
Ev'ry morning just the same Since the morning that we came
To this poor provincial town...

Kagome walked past the fountain to the left were lead to Belle's, Monsieur Jean, the local kettle and tea set seller walked by. "Good morning, Kagome!" He spoke with a friendly voice.

Kagome smiled making her way over to him. He was a kind man but a little hard to talk to when he never listened. "Morning monsieur!" Kagome exclaimed with a happy attitude. "Good morning, Monsieur Jean. Have you lost something again?"

"Well, I believe I have. Problem is, I've—I can't remember what, oh well, I'm sure it'll come to me. Where are you off to?

Kagome took out a book from her basket, "To return this book to Père Robert for Belle. It's about two lovers in fair Verona. After that, the market place."

"Sounds like a boring day." Monsieur Jean went back looking under his cart for his missing item as Kagome went off towards the market place.

Look there she goes, that girl is strange no question
Dazed and distracted, can't you tell?

On her way, Kagome spotted Agathe, her teacher and the local beggar. If it wasn't for Maurice, Kagome could have been begging right alongside her.

"Here Agathe, have some breakfast." Kagome offered her some eggs, bacon and bread with a small goblet of water. "

Agathe flashed her a bright smile, grateful for the young lady's kindness, every morning in a hot meal. "Thank you, Kagome. Don't forget about tonight."

Kagome's smile faltered. Agathe could feel the young girl's sadness radiating off her. Kagome loved Belle and Maurice, yet it wasn't quite the same. She missed her own family. Not just distance, time was her greatest enemy. Kagome offered Agatha a small smile, small sparks of sadness creping to her heart. She wanted to go home. It was taking so long to find a new way home, Agatha said she was not ready yet.

Never part of any crowd Cause her head's up on some cloud
No denying she's a funny girl, that Kagome!
Bonjour! Good day! How is your family?

Bonjour! Good day! How is your wife?
I need six eggs! That's too expensive! T
Here must be more than this provincial life!

…

On the other side of the square, stood the handsome and egocentric garrison Captain, Gaston along with his friend Lefou. "Look at her, LeFou—my future wife. Kagome is the most beautiful girl in the village. That makes her the best."

Lefou looked at Kagome with somewhat of a sneer. She wasn't anything special. Sure, she did have a kind smile and beautiful blue eyes, but she also had a tempter that could tempt the Angels in heaven. "But she is very…spirited. And you said you usually don't like that in a woman."

"Yes…but have you imagined what she could be like on our wedding night, and the strapping boys she would give me. I've felt I have been missing something, and she's the only girl that gives me that sense of—

"Mmm... je ne sais quoi?"

"I don't know what that means." Right from the moment when I met her, saw her. I said she's gorgeous and I fell. Here in town, there's only she who is beautiful as me. So, I'm making plans to woo and marry Kagome.

Three over the top girls who wore too much make-up watched Gaston unsaddle his horse, trying to catch up with Kagome. Look there he goes Isn't he dreamy? Monsieur Gaston Oh, he's so cute! Be still, my heart I'm hardly breathing He's such a tall, dark, strong and handsome brute!

Kagome turned towards the bakery, keeping her eyes on the street that she didn't see Gaston stand in front of her. "Kagome!"

Kagome jumped, her heart beating rapidly as she struggled to regain her composure. "Gaston, you startled me!"

The handsome garrison Captain laughed at the little housekeeper. She looked lovely today, well not as grand as he did of course. "It is alright my dear, I am here at last." He offered her a single rose, and Kagome took it from his hand.

"Thank you, Gaston, but I have to get going. Maurice's kitchen needs more bread and I need to get there before they are all out of fresh ones." Kagome circled around him, noticing his smile crept on his face.

"Mademoiselle, I shall call upon you later." He watched as Kagome shuffled through the crowd.

Kagome felt bad as Gaston tried to pay court to her. She knew he was egocentric, yet he seemed sincere, but it was all in vain. Kagome didn't plan on settling down because she was going home. Getting home to Mom, Souta and Grandpa took all her attention. There was no point if she was going to leave this time.

She came into the house, watching Belle and Maurice laugh about something. She smiled before shutting the kitchen door, letting the family bask in happy memories. A single tear fell down her face. Kagome wanted to become a part of this family too. Yet in the distance, she knew her real family was out there waiting for her. Kagome needed to get home and she couldn't get distracted at the prospect of being happy here either.