This is an Yuri FF. If you don't like girlslove than don't read this!

Beauty and the Beast (YayaxHikari)

There was once Miyuki a very rich clerk, who had six children, three sons, and three daughters; being a woman of sense, she spared no cost for their education, but gave them all kinds of masters. Her daughters were extremely handsome, especially the youngest Hikari. When she was little everybody admired her, and called her "The little Beauty;" so that, as she grew up, she still went by the name of Beauty, which made her sisters very jealous.

The youngest, as she was handsomer, was also better than her sisters. The two eldest Shion and Momomi had a great deal of pride, because they were rich. They gave themselves ridiculous airs, and would not visit other clerks daughters, nor keep company with any but persons of quality. They went out every day to parties of pleasure, balls, plays, concerts, and so forth, and they laughed at their youngest sister, because she spent the greatest part of her time in reading good books.

As it was known that they were great fortunes, several eminent clerks made their addresses to them; but the two eldest said, they would never marry, unless they could meet with a duchess, or an countess at least. Hikari very civilly thanked them that courted her, and told them she was too young yet to marry, but chose to stay with her mother a few years longer.

All at once Miyuki lost her whole fortune, excepting a small country house at a great distance from town, and told her children with tears in her eyes, they must go there and work for their living. The two eldest answered, that they would not leave the town, for they had several lovers, who they were sure would be glad to have them, though they had no fortune; but the good ladies were mistaken, for their lovers slighted and forsook them in their poverty. As they were not beloved on account of their pride, everybody said; they do not deserve to be pitied, we are very glad to see their pride humbled, let them go and give themselves quality airs in milking the cows and minding their dairy. But, added they, we are extremely concerned for Hikari, she was such a charming, sweet-tempered creature, spoke so kindly to poor people, and was of such an affable, obliging behavior. Nay, several gentlwomen would have married her, though they knew she had not a penny; but she told them she could not think of leaving her poor mother in her misfortunes, but was determined to go along with her into the country to comfort and attend her. Poor Hikari at first was sadly grieved at the loss of her fortune; "but," said she to herself, "were I to cry ever so much, that would not make things better, I must try to make myself happy without a fortune."

When they came to their country house, the clerk and her three sons applied themselves to husbandry and tillage; and Hikari rose at four in the morning, and made haste to have the house clean, and dinner ready for the family. In the beginning she found it very difficult, for she had not been used to work as a servant, but in less than two months she grew stronger and healthier than ever. After she had done her work, she read, played on the harpsichord, or else sung whilst she spun.

On the contrary, her two sisters did not know how to spend their time; they got up at ten, and did nothing but saunter about the whole day, lamenting the loss of their fine clothes and acquaintance. "Do but see our youngest sister," said Shion, to the Momomi, "what a poor, stupid, mean-spirited creature she is, to be contented with such an unhappy dismal situation."

The good clerk was of quite a different opinion; she knew very well that Hikari outshone her sisters, in her person as well as her mind, and admired her humility and industry, but above all her humility and patience; for her sisters not only left her all the work of the house to do, but insulted her every moment.

The family had lived about a year in this retirement, when the clerk received a letter with an account that a vessel, on board of which she had effects, was safely arrived. This news had liked to have turned the heads of the two eldest daughters, who immediately flattered themselves with the hopes of returning to town, for they were quite weary of a country life; and when they saw their mother ready to set out, they begged of her to buy them new gowns, headdresses, ribbons, and all manner of trifles; but Hikari asked for nothing for she thought to herself, that all the money her mother was going to receive, would scarce be sufficient to purchase everything her sisters wanted.

"What will you have, Beauty?" said her mother.

"Since you have the goodness to think of me," answered she, "be so kind to bring me a rose, for as none grows hereabouts, they are a kind of rarity." Not that Hikari cared for a rose, but she asked for something, lest she should seem by her example to condemn her sisters' conduct, who would have said she did it only to look particular.

The good woman went on her journey, but when she came there, they went to law with her about the merchandise, and after a great deal of trouble and pains to no purpose, she came back as poor as before.

She was within thirty miles of her own house, thinking on the pleasure she should have in seeing her children again, when going through a large forest she lost herself. It rained and snowed terribly; besides, the wind was so high, that it threw her twice off her horse, and night coming on, she began to apprehend being either starved to death with cold and hunger, or else devoured by the wolves, whom she heard howling all round her, when, on a sudden, looking through a long walk of trees, she saw a light at some distance, and going on a little farther perceived it came from a palace illuminated from top to bottom. The clerk returned God thanks for this happy discovery, and hastened to the place, but was greatly surprised at not meeting with any one in the outer courts. Her horse followed her, and seeing a large stable open, went in, and finding both hay and oats, the poor beast, who was almost famished, fell to eating very heartily; the clerk tied him up to the manger, and walking towards the house, where she saw no one, but entering into a large hall, she found a good fire, and a table plentifully set out with but one cover laid. As she was wet quite through with the rain and snow, she drew near the fire to dry herself. "I hope," said she, "the master of the house, or his servants will excuse the liberty I take; I suppose it will not be long before some of them appear."

She waited a considerable time, until it struck eleven, and still nobody came. At last she was so hungry that she could stay no longer, but took a chicken, and ate it in two mouthfuls, trembling all the while. After this she drank a few glasses of wine, and growing more courageous she went out of the hall, and crossed through several grand apartments with magnificent furniture, until she came into a chamber, which had an exceeding good bed in it, and as she was very much fatigued, and it was past midnight, she concluded it was best to shut the door, and go to bed.

It was ten the next morning before the clerk waked, and as she was going to rise she was astonished to see a good suit of clothes in the room of her own, which were quite spoiled; certainly, said she, this palace belongs to some kind fairy, who has seen and pitied my distress. She looked through a window, but instead of snow saw the most delightful arbors, interwoven with the beautifullest flowers that were ever beheld. She then returned to the great hall, where she had supped the night before, and found some chocolate ready made on a little table. "Thank you, good Madam Fairy," said she aloud, "for being so careful, as to provide me a breakfast; I am extremely obliged to you for all your favors."

The good woman drank her chocolate, and then went to look for her horse, but passing through an arbor of roses she remembered Hikari's request to her, and gathered a branch on which were several; immediately she heard a great noise, and saw such a frightful Beast coming towards her, that she was ready to faint away.

"You are very ungrateful," said the Beast to her, in a terrible voice; "I have saved your life by receiving you into my castle, and, in return, you steal my roses, which I value beyond any thing in the universe, but you shall die for it; I give you but a quarter of an hour to prepare yourself, and say your prayers."

The clerk fell on her knees, and lifted up both her hands, "My lord," said she, "I beseech you to forgive me, indeed I had no intention to offend in gathering a rose for one of my daughters, who desired me to bring her one."

"My name is not My Lord," replied the monster, "but Yaya; I don't love compliments, not I. I like people to speak as they think; and so do not imagine, I am to be moved by any of your flattering speeches. But you say you have got daughters. I will forgive you, on condition that one of them come willingly, and suffer for you. Let me have no words, but go about your business, and swear that if your daughter refuse to die in your stead, you will return within three months."

The clerk had no mind to sacrifice her daughters to the ugly monster, but she thought, in obtaining this respite, she should have the satisfaction of seeing them once more, so she promised, upon oath, she would return, and the Beast told her she might set out when she pleased, "but," added she, "you shall not depart empty handed; go back to the room where you lay, and you will see a great empty chest; fill it with whatever you like best, and I will send it to your home," and at the same time Yaya withdrew.

"Well," said the good woman to herself, "if I must die, I shall have the comfort, at least, of leaving something to my poor children." She returned to the bedchamber, and finding a great quantity of broad pieces of gold, she filled the great chest the Beast had mentioned, locked it, and afterwards took her horse out of the stable, leaving the palace with as much grief as she had entered it with joy. The horse, of hier own accord, took one of the roads of the forest, and in a few hours the good woman was at home.

Her children came round her, but instead of receiving their embraces with pleasure, she looked on them, and holding up the branch she had in her hands, she burst into tears. "Here, Hikari my Beauty," said she, "take these roses, but little do you think how dear they are like to cost your unhappy mother," and then related her fatal adventure. Immediately the two eldest set up lamentable outcries, and said all manner of ill-natured things to Beauty, who did not cry at all.

"Do but see the pride of that little wretch," said they; "she would not ask for fine clothes, as we did; but no truly, Miss wanted to distinguish herself, so now she will be the death of our poor mother, and yet she does not so much as shed a tear."

"Why should I," answered Hikari, "it would be very needless, for my mother shall not suffer upon my account, since the monster will accept of one of her daughters, I will deliver myself up to all her fury, and I am very happy in thinking that my death will save my mother's life, and be a proof of my tender love for her."

"No, sister," said her three brothers, "that shall not be, we will go find the monster, and either kill him, or perish in the attempt."

"Do not imagine any such thing, my sons," said the clerk, "Yaya's power is so great, that I have no hopes of your overcoming her. I am charmed with Beauty's kind and generous offer, but I cannot yield to it. I am old, and have not long to live, so can only loose a few years, which I regret for your sakes alone, my dear children."

"Indeed mother," said Hikari, "you shall not go to the palace without me, you cannot hinder me from following you." It was to no purpose all they could say. Hikari still insisted on setting out for the fine palace, and her sisters were delighted at it, for her virtue and amiable qualities made them envious and jealous.

The clerk was so afflicted at the thoughts of losing her daughter, that she had quite forgot the chest full of gold, but at night when she retired to rest, no sooner had she shut her chamber door, than, to her great astonishment, he found it by her bedside; she was determined, however, not to tell her children, that she was grown rich, because they would have wanted to return to town, and she was resolved not to leave the country; but she trusted Hikari with the secret, who informed her, that two gentlewomen came in her absence, and courted her sisters; she begged her mother to consent to their marriage, and give them fortunes, for she was so good, that she loved them and forgave heartily all their ill usage. These wicked creatures rubbed their eyes with an onion to force some tears when they parted with their sister, but her brothers were really concerned. Hikari was the only one who did not shed tears at parting, because she would not increase their uneasiness.

The horse took the direct road to the palace, and towards evening they perceived it illuminated as at first. The horse went of herself into the stable, and the good woman and her daughter came into the great hall, where they found a table splendidly served up, and two covers. The clerk had no heart to eat, but Hikari, endeavoring to appear cheerful, sat down to table, and helped her. "Afterwards," thought she to herself, "Yaya the Beast surely has a mind to fatten me before she eats me, since she provides such plentiful entertainment." When they had supped they heard a great noise, and the clerk, all in tears, bid her poor child, farewell, for she thought Beast was coming. Hikari was sadly terrified at her horrid form, but she took courage as well as she could, and the monster having asked her if she came willingly; "ye - e - es," said she, trembling.

The beast responded, "You are very good, and I am greatly obliged to you; honest woman, go your ways tomorrow morning, but never think of coming here again."

"Farewell Hikari, farewell Beast," answered she, and immediately the monster withdrew. "Oh, daughter," said the clerk, embracing Hikari almost frightened to death, believe me, you had better go back, and let me stay here."

"No, mother,''said Hikari,in a resolute tone, "you shall set out tomorrow morning, and leave me to the care and protection of providence." They went to bed, and thought they should not close their eyes all night; but scarce were they laid down, than they fell fast asleep, and Hikari,dreamed, a fine lady came, and said to her, "I am content, Hikari,with your good will, this good action of yours in giving up your own life to save your mother's shall not go unrewarded." Hikari waked, and told her mother her dream and though it helped to comfort her a little yet she could not help crying bitterly, when she took leave of her child.

As soon as she was gone, Hikari sat down in the great hall, and fell a crying likewise; but as she was mistress of a great deal of resolution, she recommended herself to God, and resolved not to be uneasy the little time she had to live; for she firmly believed the Beast would eat her up that night.

However, she thought she might as well walk about until then, and view this fine castle, which she could not help admiring; it was a delightful pleasant place, and she was extremely surprised at seeing a door, over which was written, "Beauty's Apartment." She opened it hastily, and was quite dazzled with the magnificence that reigned throughout; but what chiefly took up her attention, was a large library, a harpsichord, and several music books. "Well," said she to herself, "I see they will not let my time hang heavy upon my hands for want of amusement." Then she reflected, "Were I but to stay here a day, there would not have been all these preparations." This consideration inspired her with fresh courage; and opening the library she took a book, and read these words, in letters of gold:

Welcome Hikari, banish fear,

You are queen and mistress here.

Speak your wishes, speak your will,

Swift obedience meets them still.

"there is nothing I desire so much as to see my poor mother, and know what she is doing." She had no sooner said this, when casting her eyes on a great looking glass, to her great amazement, she saw her own home, where her mother arrived with a very dejected countenance. Her sisters went to meet her, and notwithstanding their endeavors to appear sorrowful, their joy, felt for having got rid of their sister, was visible in every feature. A moment after, everything disappeared, and Hikari's apprehensions at this proof of Yaya's complaisance.

At noon she found dinner ready, and while at table, was entertained with an excellent concert of music, though without seeing anybody. But at night, as she was going to sit down to supper, she heard the noise Yaya made, and could not help being sadly terrified. "Hikari," said the monster, "will you give me leave to see you sup?"

"That is as you please," answered Hikari trembling.

"No," replied the Beast, "you alone are mistress here; you need only bid me gone, if my presence is troublesome, and I will immediately withdraw. But, tell me, do not you think me very ugly?"

"That is true," said Hikari, "for I cannot tell a lie, but I believe you are very good natured."

"So I am," said the monster, "but then, besides my ugliness, I have no sense; I know very well, that I am a poor, silly, stupid creature."

"'Tis no sign of folly to think so," replied Hikari, "for never did fool know this, or had so humble a conceit of her own understanding."

"Eat then, Hikari," said the monster, "and endeavor to amuse yourself in your palace, for everything here is yours, and I should be very uneasy, if you were not happy."

"You are very obliging," answered Hikari, "I own I am pleased with your kindness, and when I consider that, your deformity scarce appears."

''Yes, yes," said the Yaya the Beast "my heart is good, but still I am a monster."

"Among mankind," says Hikari, "there are many that deserve that name more than you, and I prefer you, just as you are, to those, who, under a human form, hide a treacherous, corrupt, and ungrateful heart."

"If I had sense enough," replied the Beast, "I would make a fine compliment to thank you, but I am so dull, that I can only say, I am greatly obliged to you."

Hikari ate a hearty supper, and had almost conquered her dread of the monster; but she had like to have fainted away, when she said to her, "Hikari, will you be my wife?"

She was some time before she dared answer, for she was afraid of making her angry, if she refused. At last, however, she said trembling, "no Yaya." Immediately the poor monster went to sigh, and hissed so frightfully, that the whole palace echoed. But Hikari soon recovered her fright, for Yaya having said, in a mournful voice, "then farewell, Hikari," left the room; and only turned back, now and then, to look at her as she went out.

When Hikari was alone, she felt a great deal of compassion for poor Yaya. "Alas," said she, "'tis thousand pities, anything so good natured should be so ugly."

Hikari spent three months very contentedly in the palace. Every evening Yaya paid her a visit, and talked to her, during supper, very rationally, with plain good common sense, but never with what the world calls wit; and Hikari daily discovered some valuable qualifications in the monster, and seeing her often had so accustomed her to her deformity, that, far from dreading the time of her visit, she would often look on her watch to see when it would be nine, for Yaya never missed coming at that hour. There was but one thing that gave Hikari any concern, which was, that every night, before she went to bed, Yaya always asked her, if she would be her wife. One day she said to her, "Yaya, you make me very uneasy, I wish I could consent to marry you, but I am too sincere to make you believe that will ever happen; I shall always esteem you as a friend, endeavor to be satisfied with this."

"I must," said Yaya, " I know too well my own misfortune, but then I love you with the tenderest affection. However, I ought to think myself happy, that you will stay here; promise me never to leave me."

Hikari blushed at these words; she had seen in her glass, that her mother had pined herself sick for the loss of her, and she longed to see her again. "I could," answered she, "indeed, promise never to leave you entirely, but I have so great a desire to see my mother, that I shall fret to death, if you refuse me that satisfaction."

"I had rather die myself," said the monster, "than give you the least uneasiness. I will send you to your mother, you shall remain with her, and poor Yaya will die with grief."

"No," said Hikari, weeping, "I love you too well to be the cause of your death. I give you my promise to return in a week. You have shown me that my sisters are married, and my brothers gone to the army; only let me stay a week with my mother, as she is alone."

"You shall be there tomorrow morning," said Yaya, "but remember your promise. You need only lay your ring on a table before you go to bed, when you have a mind to come back. Farewell Hikari." the Beast sighed, as usual, bidding her good night, and Hikari went to bed very sad at seeing her so afflicted. When she waked the next morning, she found herself at her mother's, and having rung a little bell, that was by her bedside, she saw the maid come, who, the moment she saw her, gave a loud shriek, at which the good woman ran up stairs, and thought she should have died with joy to see her dear daughter again. She held her fast locked in her arms above a quarter of an hour. As soon as the first transports were over, Hikari began to think of rising, and was afraid she had no clothes to put on; but the maid told her, that she had just found, in the next room, a large trunk full of gowns, covered with gold and diamonds. Hikari thanked good Yaya for her kind care, and taking one of the plainest of them, she intended to make a present of the others to her sisters. She scarce had said so when the trunk disappeared. Her mother told her, that Beast insisted on her keeping them herself, and immediately both gowns and trunk came back again.

Hikari dressed herself, and in the meantime they sent to her sisters who hastened thither with their wifes. They were both of them very unhappy. The eldest had married a gentlewoman, extremely handsome indeed, but so fond of her own person, that she was full of nothing but her own dear self, and neglected her wife. The second had married a woman of wit, but she only made use of it to plague and torment everybody, and her wife most of all. Beauty's sisters sickened with envy, when they saw her dressed like a princess, and more beautiful than ever, nor could all her obliging affectionate behavior stifle their jealousy, which was ready to burst when she told them how happy she was. They went down into the garden to vent it in tears; and said one to the other, in what way is this little creature better than us, that she should be so much happier? "Sister," said the oldest, "a thought just strikes my mind; let us endeavor to detain her above a week, and perhaps the silly monster will be so enraged at her for breaking her word, that she will devour her."

"Right, sister," answered the other, "therefore we must show her as much kindness as possible." After they had taken this resolution, they went up, and behaved so affectionately to their sister, poor Hikari wept for joy. When the week was expired, they cried and tore their hair, and seemed so sorry to part with her, that she promised to stay a week longer.

In the meantime, Hikari could not help reflecting on herself, for the uneasiness she was likely to cause poor Yaya, whom she sincerely loved, and really longed to see again. The tenth night she spent at her mother's, she dreamed she was in the palace garden, and that she saw Yaya extended on the grass plat, who seemed just expiring, and, in a dying voice, reproached her with her ingratitude. Hikari started out of her sleep, and bursting into tears. "Am I not very wicked," said she, "to act so unkindly to Yaya, she has studied so much, to please me in everything? Is it her fault if she is so ugly, and has so little sense? She is kind and good, and that is sufficient. Why did I refuse to marry her? I should be happier with the monster than my sisters are with their wifes; it is neither wit, nor a fine person, in a husband, that makes a woman happy, but virtue, sweetness of temper, and complaisance, and Beast has all these valuable qualifications. It is true, I do not feel the tenderness of affection for her, but I find I have the highest gratitude, esteem, and friendship; I will not make her miserable, were I to be so ungrateful I should never forgive myself." Hikari having said this, rose, put her ring on the table, and then laid down again; scarce was she in bed before she fell asleep, and when she waked the next morning, she was overjoyed to find herself in Yaya's palace.

She put on one of her richest suits to please her, and waited for evening with the utmost impatience, at last the wished-for hour came, the clock struck nine, yet no Yaya appeared. Hikari then feared she had been the cause of her death; she ran crying and wringing her hands all about the palace, like one in despair; after having sought for her everywhere, she recollected her dream, and flew to the canal in the garden, where she dreamed she saw her. There she found poor Yaya stretched out, quite senseless, and, as she imagined, dead. She threw herself upon her without any dread, and finding her heart beat still, she fetched some water from the canal, and poured it on her head. Yaya opened her eyes, and said to Hikari, "You forgot your promise, and I was so afflicted for having lost you, that I resolved to starve myself, but since I have the happiness of seeing you once more, I die satisfied."

"No, dear Yaya," said Hikari, "you must not die. Live to be my wife; from this moment I give you my hand, and swear to be none but yours. Yaya! I thought I had only a friendship for you, but the grief I now feel convinces me, that I cannot live without you." Hikari scarce had pronounced these words, when she saw the palace sparkle with light; and fireworks, instruments of music, everything seemed to give notice of some great event. But nothing could fix her attention; she turned to her dear Yaya, for whom she trembled with fear; but how great was her surprise! The Beast was disappeared, and she saw, at her feet, one of the loveliest princesses that eye ever beheld; who returned her thanks for having put an end to the charm, under which she had so long resembled a Beast. Though this princess was worthy of all her attention, she could not forbear asking where Beast was.

"You see her at your feet, said the princess. Shizuma a wicked fairy had condemned me to remain under that shape until a beautiful virgin should consent to marry me. The fairy likewise enjoined me to conceal my understanding. There was only you in the world generous enough to be won by the goodness of my temper, and in offering you my crown I can't discharge the obligations I have to you."

Hikari, agreeably surprised, gave the charming princess her hand to rise; they went together into the castle, and Hikari was overjoyed to find, in the great hall, her mother and her whole family, whom the beautiful lady, that appeared to her in her dream, had conveyed thither.

"Hikari," said this lady, "come and receive the reward of your judicious choice; you have preferred virtue before either wit or beauty, and deserve to find a person in whom all these qualifications are united. You are going to be a great queen. I hope the throne will not lessen your virtue, or make you forget yourself. As to you, ladies," said the fairy to Hikari's two sisters, "I know your hearts, and all the malice they contain. Become two statues, but, under this transformation, still retain your reason. You shall stand before your sister's palace gate, and be it your punishment to behold her happiness; and it will not be in your power to return to your former state, until you own your faults, but I am very much afraid that you will always remain statues. Pride, anger, gluttony, and idleness are sometimes conquered, but the conversion of a malicious and envious mind is a kind of miracle."

Immediately the fairy gave a stroke with her wand, and in a moment all that were in the hall were transported into the princess's dominions. Her subjects received her with joy. She married Hikari, and lived with her many years.