By: Wolfchild
Disclaimer: Inuyasha is a creation of Rumiko Takahashi's, and I would not even dream to claim ownership of or improve upon the works of the creator. However, I am going to alter and splice them slightly with another, very famous story. But, in any case, neither of them (the classic fairytale or Inuyasha) are mine so, please don't sue. All you'll get is my computer (which I will fight you tooth and nail for), and a wall full of RK wallscrolls, posters, and pencilboards.
AN: This story is going be a re-telling of an old classic fairytale, with some alterations. What fairytale, you ask? Well, you'll just have to wait and see. But, if you really don't want to wait, well, just read the title and take a guess. If you still don't know, read the prologue. If you STILL don't know, skip down to the notes at the end of the prologue and I'll tell you.
But, anyway, this is going to be an alternate universe piece, and I'm going to do my best to fit in as many of the characters from the central cast as I can. If you don't like the idea of an AU, or of reworking a classic, I would recommend not reading this. If you are anti-Kagome & Inuyasha, I would recommend not reading this fic.
And, with all that said, on with the show!
PrologueLong ago, in a faraway land, a young youkai prince lived in a shining castle. Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, rude, arrogant, selfish, and unkind.
But then, one winter's night, an old beggar woman came to the castle, and offered him a small, shining jewel in exchange for shelter from the bitter cold.
Repulsed by her haggard human appearance, the prince sneered at the gift, and turned 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 miko.
The prince tried to apologize, but it was too late, for she had seen that there was no love in his heart. And, as punishment, she used the glimmering jewel to transform him into a hanyou, a youkai half-blood, and placed a powerful spell on the castle, and all who lived there.
Ashamed of his half-human form, the hanyou concealed himself inside his castle, with a magic well as his only window to the outside world.
The jewel she had offered him was truly an enchanted jewel, which would continue to shine until his 51st year. If he could learn to love another, and earn their love in return before the jewel's glow faded away completely, then the spell would be broken.
If not, he would be doomed to remain a hanyou, a half-blood outcast, for all time. As the years passed, he fell into despair, and lost all hope.
For who could ever learn to love . . . a hanyou?
End prologue.
Glossary:
youkai – demon
miko – priestess
hanyou – half-demon
AN: And so it begins. If you haven't figured it out by now, the story that this is being spliced with is Beauty & the Beast. And, yes, the basis for the prologue narrative was taken from the Disney version of the story, but the buck stops there, folks! There will be NO dancing, singing, talking, or otherwise vocalizing or willing movement from any candlesticks, teacups, clocks, or any other inanimate object in this story. Period.
Also, though my knowledge of Japanese is very limited, I may try to put in a little bit of the syntax later on in the story. Maybe. We'll see what happens.
In any case, feedback is appreciated, though there isn't much to comment on at this point.
