Author's note: kon'wa! This story is my second Inu Yasha fic. (Be sure to read my other fic, Love conquers all!) It was inspired by beauty and the beast (the Disney version) I was just watching it when I realized that it worked with Inu Yasha. But it won't be exactly like the movie so I'm not copying it don't worry.

Disclaimer: listen up cuz I only writing this once, I do NOT own Inu Yasha! cries damn you Rumiko Takahashi!

As the Petals Fall

Prologue

Once upon a time, in a far away village where no sadness ever occurred and happiness was a daily emotion that usually engulfed the mind all the time, lived a King and Queen. Though they were the rulers of the land and had everything they ever wanted, they were the saddest of the village. More than anything in the world, they wanted a child to be an heir to the throne.

One day, their prayers were answered and they were blessed with a handsome son. The King and Queen took their son to the village prophet, as was the tradition of the village.

"lady Kikyo" said the king to the prophet, "we bring to you our son, Inu Yasha and the heir to the throne, please tell us everything you can about how he will grow."

Lady Kikyo took the baby in her arms and cradled him. Her eyes suddenly glowed! "your child" said the prophet "shall grow to be a handsome young man with hair of purest silver and eyes of purest gold. He shall be the envy of every man in the village."

Her eyes then glowed red as she continued "but he will let the envy get to his head and shall become no better than a beast roaming in the woods. He shall become unkind, selfish, rude and unappreciative. He shall have no love in his heart and will not be a proper ruler. Thusly, he must die!"

The Queen rushed to take the baby back in her own arms "please no!" she yelled, hugging the boy tightly as steady tears made their way down her cheeks inch by merest inch.

"there must be some mistake" said the King in protest.

But Lady Kikyo just looked solemnly at the couple "I'm sorry but there is no mistake" she told them.

"isn't there a chance that you could be wrong?" asked the Queen, desperately struggling to keep her child from being killed unjustly.

At this, the prophet looked slightly optimistic, though it was always hard to tell with a prophet "yes" she said slowly "I am just a newly trained prophet so my skills may still be questioned." She lifted her index finger and pointed to the baby "as a test" she continued "I shall wait until the day of his 13th year before I seal his fate. If by then you can raise him to be a loving and kind hearted boy, then I shall let him live."

The king and queen happily thanked the prophet and left the prophets tent.

But, much to the king and queen's horror, the young prince grew up to be as selfish, unkind, and beastlike as the prophet had predicted, which made matters worse when Lady Kikyo arrived earlier than expected.

"please spare his life!" begged the queen "please!"

Lady Kikyo looked at the pleading queen, then at her son. He had indeed grown to be as handsome as she had expected and was indeed the envy of every man. But unfortunately he was also the most arrogant, conceited man in the village. "I am not without a heart" she said "so I will give you another chance. If by his 15th birthday, he has changed, I shall let him live."

But 3 years later, things just got worse. The King and Queen had both tragically died by assassination. Though no one exactly who had slain them. But it didn't matter either, what mattered was that now, Inu Yasha had become King. He was still as rude and unappreciative as ever and, with the added privilege of getting whatever he wanted, treated all those around him like dirt. Especially his servants, who had always treated him kindly. There was Miroku, Sango, Kaede, and Shippo, all of which had been orphaned and taken in by the kind royal family. Though back when the King and Queen were alive, they were treated with much more kindness. Nowadays, King Inu Yasha treated them as though they were no better than household objects. On the night, of his 15th birthday, as he was opening his presents, a swift and hollow knock sounded from the 10 ft oak door that led to the entrance of his castle. Thinking it was another guest and another present, the new King rushed to the door. Opening it and peering out, he saw an ugly old hag standing before him. "please" she said "may I have some shelter from this bitter cold."

"and what will you give me in return?" asked the greedy King. The woman held out a single red rose that seemed to glow in the pale moonlight. The King sneered at the gift and shuddered at the hag's revolting appearance. "why should I let an ugly old hag into my home, and for a single pathetic rose"

"ah but appearances can be deceiving young King" said the hag.

"I don't care about appearances but I would be deceiving you if I even let you think I would consider letting you set foot in my house!" yelled the King, who hated being lectured.

"very well" said the hag as a bright light suddenly surrounded her. Slowly, the light died down, revealing an angry and beautiful Lady Kikyo!

"you!" said Inu Yasha, surprised.

The prophet walked towards the cowering Inu Yasha "So you are still as conceited as before" she said "I'm afraid that has cost you your life!"

"NO!" said Inu Yasha, afraid for his life "please, I'm sorry, let me live, I'll repent, Please!"

pathetic thought Lady Kikyo to herself as she looked down at the King who had now fallen to his knees and was begging for forgiveness. "fine" she said "you shall be punished but I will give you one last chance"

"punished?" asked Inu Yasha, his voice shaking.

The prophet nodded as a bright light suddenly surrounded Inu Yasha and his servants, howls of pain could be heard through the light. When it had finally died down, a candelabra stood in Miroku's place, a clock stood in Sango's place, a teapot stood in Kaede's place, a small tea cup stood in Shippo's place, and a hideous beast stood in Inu Yasha's place! "now, Inu Yasha, you look exactly as what you are on the inside and your servants are household objects since that is how you treat them"

"and how is this another chance!" roared the beast.

Lady Kikyo held up the rose she had offered earlier "this is an enchanted rose, in exactly 3 years, the roses petals will all have fallen, if by then you have fallen in love and gained her love in return, then you and your servants will be turned back into humans. However, if you are still a horrible man, then you and your servants shall remain in this form for eternity." With that said, the prophet disappeared.

Ashamed of his beastly form, Inu Yasha concealed himself within his castle, using a mirror as his only window to the outside world. Through the years, Inu Yasha fell deep in despair, for he knew that his situation was hopeless. After all who could ever learn to love a beast.

Author's note: this chappie was kinda boring but it had to be done since if I hadn't you wouldn't know what's going on. So plz review. Arigato and ja ne!