A/N: Everything belongs to their rightful owners and I only claim the characters that I create.

Do not be deceived by appearances, for true beauty lies within…

La Belle et la Bête: Acte 1, Scène 1

Long ago, there lived a merchant and his three beautiful daughters, Haruko, Kyoko, and Miyoko. The merchant had wealth and status and his daughters' beauty was known throughout the area. One day, the merchant received word that his ships had been destroyed at sea and that he had lost all his wealth. And so, our story begins…

"You're sure, Papa?" Haruko Yamamoto questioned, wringing her handkerchief in her hands. She was the eldest and understood how business worked, as did her sisters. Fair skin, warm brown eyes and dark, rich brown hair, she was beautiful. A petite build, slender, she was as tall as her youngest sister, standing at five feet three inches. She was dressed in a simple gown of a pale spring green which was her favorite color. It reminded her of spring, her namesake. "All of your ships were destroyed? All of them?" a small tear appeared in the handkerchief and she looked down at the rip in surprise. "Oh dear…" She was eighteen.

Takeshi Yamamoto, a merchant and widower of ten years, smiled at his eldest softly. "That's why I'm going into check, my dear." She reminded him sharply of his beloved wife, God rest her soul. He was still a rather striking man in his late thirties, with tanned skin from his many hours spent outside, and the same brown eyes and hair as his eldest and youngest. After the loss of his wife, he didn't attempt to find another. She had been perfect and found that none could even compare to her.

"But, Papa!" His middle child, Kyoko, was always the worrier. Fair skin like her sister, but her eyes were a deep gold, like his wife's had been. Her hair was orange in color, oddly enough. His wife's sister had the same hair color, so he supposed it ran in her family. She was seventeen. "What if you get lost on your way? What if you're attacked by bandits? W-what if-"

"Nothing will happen, Kyoko. He's been to town before. The roads are safe. We travelled them not that long ago." His youngest interrupted before Kyoko worked herself up. Miyoko looked just like her sister Haruko. She had the same brown eyes and hair, but she was sixteen and already the same height as the eldest. She would be tall, like him. She was stronger than her sisters, physically and emotionally. She didn't worry about him as much as Kyoko did, nor did she break into tears at the slightest thing like Haruko on occasion did. Many had commented that she was the most beautiful of the three girls, but Takeshi thought they were all beautiful. They were his girls after all. "Have a safe journey, Father. Take care about the docks." Was what she said when she turned to him. He smiled, resting a hand on her head briefly.

"Well. I'll be off now. I won't be long. I should be home within a few hours, but if I'm to stay longer, I'll send for Tsunayoshi to come and keep you three company until I return." And he left before Miyoko would argue with him, as she always did. Tsunayoshi, the Lord's son and thus future Lord of their area, had taken a habit of calling on Miyoko. Takeshi had to accept the fact that others viewed his youngest as the most beautiful and it seemed that more and more of the young men appearing on his doorstep were calling for her. She was of marrying age, yes, but her older sisters would be married before she would be. That was one of the only conditions he had for those young men. "Farewell, my daughters!" Haruko stood in the open doorway with Kyoko, waving her white handkerchief as he rode off down the road.

Takeshi was seated in-front of the fire, eyes blank and unseeing as he stared into the flames. They had all been shocked by the news, but they had also all stood strong. Haruko had consoled the weeping Kyoko, the younger girl despairing at the thought of moving further out of the city than they already were. She got scared easily and was frightened by a great many things. Haruko was giving the girl strength, but Takeshi knew that she too was terrified. Only Miyoko stayed with him in the main room, seated on the ground next to his chair, hands resting in her lap. "It'll be okay, Father. We'll be fine." She murmured, leaning her head against his leg. Takeshi couldn't bear to put his daughters through this, but there was no other way.

All of his ships had been lost at sea, all his cargo gone. There was no way he could pay the debtors now coming to him. He would have to sell the house. All their fine and expensive things. Their servants would have to be let go. He had managed to find a suitable little house out in the country. They would have to work now. They were far from the city and no longer had any money, so his daughter's suitors would not come. He couldn't bear to put them through this… But…

"I'm sorry, my dear."

"It's not your fault, Papa. I'll help on the farm, don't worry." He rested a hand on her head, a single tear escaping and rolling down his cheek. She was so much like her mother…

"Good afternoon, Sir Yamamoto!" a figure on the road a ways ahead and Takeshi looked up from his field to see the messenger from the city waving from his horse.

"Ah, the same to you, lad!" The messenger delivered the mail and news to those living out in the country, like the Yamamotos. Ever since the loss of their status, the young Lord Tsunayoshi had visited them without fail every month. It had been a year and a half since the Yamamoto's had moved from the city and Tsunayoshi's father had succumbed to illness that previous winter, leaving the boy as Lord. He had still visited even though they were below his rank. "What news have you from the city?"

"Sir, I have good news, perhaps." He had dismounted by now and was walking toward the merchant turned farmer. Takeshi stood up, brushing his hands against his breeches.

"Is that right?" The lad held up the letter. "A letter?" Takeshi took it, opening it easily and scanning the contents. The boy returned to his horse, going on his way. Takeshi's smile faded as his eyes narrowed. "How can this be…? I was told they were all lost…" He turned abruptly, striding to his quaint house. "Miyoko, dear! Come on inside now! We'll call it a day!" His daughter was in-front of the house, tending to the garden of flowers there.

She leaned back on her heels, looking up as he passed. She had grown even more beautiful in the almost two years since any of her suitors(expect Tsunayoshi) had seen her. "Alright, Papa." He was already in the house and she looked down at the flowers before gathering up her supplies. "Papa, what's going on?" She closed the door softly behind her.

Takeshi was pulling on his coat, but glanced her way. "I just received word that The Era came to port, with cargo!" Excited squeals from her sisters and she smiled slightly. "I'm going to town to see what can be salvaged." He sat down, tugging on his boots. "I shouldn't be gone more than a few hours." Miyoko turned toward the stove, working on the dinner that Haruko had started earlier. "My daughters. What would you like me to bring you back from the city?" Takeshi questioned. "Such good news deserves a special treat." The girls looked at their father.

"Really? You'll bring us something back? Oh, then, Papa, could I please have a new dress?" Haruko clasped her hands to her chest, eyes shining with hope. She had gotten better at sewing… but she only had a dress for each day and they were all rather threadbare and worn out, patches in some places. Takeshi smiled.

"Of-course. Kyoko?" The younger peeked around Haruko, her eyes bright as well.

"A necklace, Papa. My one broke and I'm afraid I lost many of the beads…" True, her most favorite necklace had dropped to the floor and she had accidently stepped on it.

"I'll see if perhaps I can find a similar one. And for you, Miyoko?" The elder girls looked to their sister.

"For me, Papa?"

"Yes. Anything you want." The girl was silent for a long time. Takeshi was just about to suggest a new dress, as her dresses too were filled with patches.

"A rose, Papa. Roses don't grow around here and perhaps if I plant it correctly, we'll have roses out front." Takeshi smiled at his youngest before kissing each of their foreheads and saying goodbye.

Takeshi gazed around him, eyes shadowed. The cargo had been taken before he could even see what all had survived. His debtors told him he no longer owed them. But that meant he still had no money.

No money to buy his daughters their gifts.

He didn't remember these woods he was travelling either… but perhaps this was a shortcut. He spurred his mount forward when he noticed the trees thinning. The road that he knew, he thought. It would lead to the road.

Imagine his surprise when before him laid a plain with a castle at its end. Woods surrounds the area, shielding it from view. How many times had he travelled to town before and never once stumbled upon it? "How strange…" His horse trotted forward toward the castle in the distance. Takeshi didn't pull him back. it was late already, dark. He would never find his way home. Better to see if he could stay the night and start fresh in the morning.

From what he could see, the structure was old. A castle perhaps long forgotten and abandoned? If that was the case, no one would mind him staying for just one night. Old it very well was, but still beautiful in its age. It was a magnificent building, tall towers and a colored glass window right at the front. The moon was full tonight, bathing everything in a silver glow, adding mystery to the deserted manor. Stone was the material of choice here, everything made of the same dark gray. Trees stood guard over the building, their branches spread wide in-front of it.

His dismounted, leading his mount up the cobblestoned road that led from the plain to the courtyard. All was silent, save for his and his horses' footsteps. A long and low building appeared to them first and when he glanced inside he smiled.

Stables. How wonderful. "Look at this. You too get your own room. Perhaps I can find some water and hay… A well, maybe, for your water…" He looked about him, not seeing anything in the darkness. He reached for his bag, searching for the matches.

When the match was lit, he saw stacks of, oddly enough, fresh hay against the wall and a trough of water lining the stall closet to him. "Looks like someone saw us coming. Aren't you a lucky one." He led the chesnut stallion to the stall, placing some of the hay next to the water. "I'll come for you in the morning." He patted his nose before retreating from the stables, striding across the courtyard and toward the steps that led to the castle. A simple push against the doors and the opened easily.

Candles were light, bringing light into what would have been darkness. "Hello? I'm sorry to intrude!" he stepped in carefully his voice and steps echoing loudly. "Is there anybody here? Anyone?" No answer and he frowned. There had to be somehow. Candles don't light themselves. "I apologize for coming in unannounced, but I seemed to have gotten lost!" he was moving down the hall quickly, peeking into each room he passed for other signs of life. "I would appreciate if I could stay the night. I would leave at first light in the morning!" There was still nothing and when he reached one of the last rooms in the hall, he stopped.

There, laid out before him, was a feast. The oaken table had to be at-least fifteen feet long and it was laden with foods of all kinds. His mouth watered at the feast . "Well, I'll eat in gratitude, Master of the House. Thank you for your kindness." It had to be at-least ten at night. There was no way that a family would eat that late. He didn't dwell anymore on the matter as his stomach rumbled loudly.

Awaking the next morning, his first thought was of his daughters. His second thought was of the mysterious castle he had stumbled upon. The many servants and the Master of the manor had given him food and rest for both he and his horse. Their kindness was accepted with gratitude from the merchant-turned-farmer. He wished to convey that to the master, or maybe even the servants, but he still had yet to see anyone… Well. He supposed he should be on his way. His children must be worried about him by now.

Striding down the hallway, he peeked into the dining hall, hoping to perhaps catch someone at breakfast. There was no one, but food was placed out on the table. He thought about sitting down and eating… But his girls were probably worried and besides: Miyoko's cooking was even better than the feast he had last night. He passed the room, throwing open the double doors of the entrance, stepping across the flagstones towards the stables where his stead was housed.

A whickering in greeting and he smiled, leading the animal out into the sunlight. "To home we go then, ole boy. The ladies are bound to be worried." He glanced around the courtyard in the morning's light. His eyes brightened upon the sight of the rose bushes on the other side. "Miyoko asked for a rose… They won't mind the loss of one rose." Moving lightly, his horse followed after him. He surveyed the flowers, smiling at one in the middle. "Perfect." He had just snapped it from the bush when he heard a snarl and footsteps behind him, his horse whinnied in fright, rearing up. "S-sir! My Lord!" Takeshi turned quickly, looking at the face of the Master of the house.

"I give you food and shelter and this is how you repay me? By stealing one of my most prized possessions?" the Lord growled.

"Father! You're home!" Kyoko wailed, throwing herself at their father. "How I missed you so!" Takeshi held her close, patting her back gently.

"Thank you, my dear. I missed you as well." Haruko held back, the tears pooling in her eyes. "My lovely Haruko." Takeshi smiled gently at his eldest. "I'm sorry. All the cargo was seized. I couldn't get your gifts." She shook her head furiously, joining her sister in hugging the man.

"I don't care about that, Papa. I'm just glad you're home!" He wrapped his arms around the two, noting the absence of his youngest, his fondest reminder of his beloved deceased wife. "You took so long! We were worried, so Miyoko rode off to town!" Haruko added, as if reading his mind.

He pulled back. "S-she what? By herself? And you let her go? Haruko!" They were both crying and he immediately apologized for yelling. "I'm sorry, my daughters."

"S-she insisted! She said that she would bring you back and we could stop with our worrying! She hasn't returned yet!" Fear seized his heart and he pulled away, immediately going for the door. "Papa! We're coming with you!" they both grabbed his arms, tearing still coursing down their faces.

"No! You're to stay here until I return with your sister, do you understand?" They were stunned by his raised voice and Kyoko gave a little hiccup. Pain filled his eyes. "I'm sorry, Haruko, Kyoko. I didn't mean to yell. Please. Stay here and wait for our return." He tilted their faces up to him, to look them in the eye. "Alright?"

"Yes Papa…" both murmured. He turned, opening the door only to see a distant figure on the road. He shielded his eyes, squinting. Was that…? Could it be…? A raised hand and a called out greeting and his hope disappeared. Tsunayoshi. The young Lord was visiting. He stalked to his horse, readying the saddle and bit grabbing hold of the horn and hauling himself up. Not much of a break for his horse, yes, but his daughter was missing. She could be…

"Sir Yamamoto! You're leaving? Again?" Tsunayoshi was closer now and Takeshi turned in the saddle, just about to motion his beast forward when he saw the young lady sitting side-saddle in-front of the young Lord.

"Miyoko!" he jumped down, running to the figures and pulling her down quickly, hugging her tightly and swinging her about as if she were a child once more. "Don't you ever do that again, do you hear me?" he set her on the ground, eyes dark with a frown adorning his lips. "Don't scare your sisters like that!" She nodded meekly, shocked at hearing his voice raised. He hugged her close again, lifting her easily into his arms and moving to the house.

"P-papa, what're you doing?" she didn't move, as her father's moods were confusing her. First he yells and now he's carrying her like she's injured.

"Shh, little one. I was worried about you." he murmured into her hair.

Tsunayoshi wasn't quite sure if he should visit now or come back later.

"Papa. Tell me what's wrong." Miyoko stood before him, arms crossed over her chest. "You've been acting odd all week. What happened in town that has gotten you all out of sorts?" A week had already gone by and yes, Takeshi had been acting strange. "Papa. Something is wrong."

"Nothing is wrong." His youngest was observant. He wouldn't be able to hold out long.

"Papa. You've had an odd attitude about you. You've barely done any work and you raised your voice for the first time. Something happened Papa. And I won't stop until you tell me." He winced. Had it been that obvious?

"You, child… are just like your mother…"

"So I suggest you just admit defeat before I start begging." His shoulders sagged as he sat before the fire. It was nighttime and the other two were already in bed. Miyoko had stayed up late, sewing and mending.

He hadn't been able to sleep so far all week.

"My beautiful daughter… I have made a terrible deal with the devil…" Miyoko seated herself in the chair next to him. Takeshi gazed sullenly into the fire, hands folded in his lap. "Your rose. The one you asked me for… It cost me my life, my dear." From the corner of his eye, he saw her own widen.

"Y-your life? What do you mean, Papa?" He leaned back into his chair as she reached a hand out, gripping his. "What are you saying, Father? That can't be true. You're here now, aren't you?"

"I sought refuge at a castle hidden deep in the forest. The Lord…" he paused, shuddering, "is terrifying. I took one of his roses, your rose, and in exchange, I condemned my own life. I'm to return to his castle tomorrow… and give up my life." A gasp and her hand flew to her mouth. He closed his eyes. "I told him of how it was your wish for a simple rose, hoping to change his mind. He stated that if you instead went in my place, willingly, my life would be spared. I refused, of-course. You, my dear, have your whole life ahead of you. I have lived out mine. It is no difference to me if I go now or when I am old and gray. I will simply see your mother all the sooner." He reached his other hand out, holding hers in his own two. She clutched at it tightly. He smiled, eyes still close. "Don't tell your sisters until I am gone from sight. Promise me that, will you, Miyoko?"

"Yes F-father… I promise…" and she broke down, tears coursing down her cheeks as he pulled her close. "It's all my fault! I sh-should have n-never wished for a st-stupid rose!"

Takeshi awoke at first light, laying in his bed for a moment and gazing up at the darkened ceiling slowly becoming lighter. He rubbed at his eyes, thinking of rolling over and returning to sleep when he remembered his promise.

The promise of his life.

He rose slowly, sitting at the edge of his bed and reaching for his breeches and a shirt. A whiny in the crisp morning air and his head shot up. Rapid hoofbeats on the road leading away from his home and to the road. "No… Miyoko!" he forsake his clothes for the day, instead rushing to the door of his room and throwing it open, running to the front door and gazing in horror at the figure riding away into the mist through the wide open door. "Miyoko! NO!" Her cloak was wrapped tightly about her, trailing out behind her as she soon disappeared into the pale, semi-transparent tendrils of mist. Takeshi fell to his knees and when his other two daughters rushed from their room to see what all the commotion was about, that was how they found him, weeping over the loss of one of his beloved daughters.

And so ends Act 1, Scene 1 of Beauty and the Beast.

I'm breaking this up 'cause this is already really long, so, next chapter will pretty much continue where we left off.

So, until then, bon voyage~