Disclaimer: I do not own YuGiOh or Beauty and the Beast.

Well, not much to say… right now I'm listening to My Chemical Romance. OH YEAH, I'm going away to Europe June 6 - June 19, so here's something for ya before I leave.

Summary: Long ago, in a faraway place, there lived a young prince named Bakura. He was so self-absorbed and didn't care about anyone that an enchantress cast a spell on him and his entire castle. He turned hideous and almost beast-like, and his servants were turned into living objects. An enchanted rose would be the icon of this spell: the rose would begin to wilt when he started to reach his twenty-first birthday. If he could couldn't learn to love someone and earn her love in return by that time when the rose would die, he would remain that way forever. As time went on, he gave up hope. For who could ever learn to love a beast?

Anzu x Bakura (also Mai x Joey and Isis x Kaiba)


Onna to Dobutsu

By: Chi Yagami


Chapter One

The morning light streamed into the room through the crack of the window shutters. The small room was barely big enough for the bed, wardrobe, and desk. Books were piled on top of the furniture, and several books lay open on the bed. Outside the room, a small landing with a simple table connected to a staircase leading to the first floor; there was another room across from the smaller one. Downstairs, the parlor lay right inside the front door, the kitchen through a door near the back, and a bathroom on the right. A single door in the kitchen went to the basement, and a table consisting of only two chairs was placed in the center of the room. Up in the smaller bedroom, the dreamer stirred.

She stretched her entire body the length of the bed and relaxed. The brunette opened her eyes and smiled at the speck of sunlight. She yawned and, placing her feet into her slippers, she walked over to the window and pushed open the window. The light rushed in to greet her, and the shutters seemed to sigh with relief of finally being set free. She turned around and noticed that in her haste to see the morning, she'd accidentally knocked some of her books onto the floor. She picked up one of them and remembered that she had to return it to the bookstore sometime that day.

The girl strode over to her wardrobe and opened the door. She frowned as she looked at her dresses, not liking a single one of them. They had been her mother's, and her mother didn't have very colorful dresses. They were mostly blues and greens, save one that was black. She finally rested her hand upon a simple dress; her father had told her that the blue complimented her sapphire eyes. She slipped on her shoes and walked downstairs. Her father was in the basement trying to invent something as always. She shook her head: that man would never give up. The book clutched in her hand, she opened the door and stepped outside.

Her house lay on the outskirts of town, so she had to walk a ways before actually entering the town. Once in the town, she immediately headed to the bookstore. The people around her were always whispering about her, talking about how weird it was that she read books. However, she was used to it and continued on her way.

"Hello, sir," she said with a friendly smile as she entered the shop. She and the bookkeeper were good friends, and he was always letting her borrow books.

"Good day to you, Miss Mazaki," he replied, bowing a little.

"I'm returning the book you let me borrow," she said, placing the book in his hands and looking around the store.

"You finished it already?"

"I couldn't put it down," she exclaimed guiltily. "Do you have anything new?"

"Not since yesterday," he said with a laugh. That girl was always looking for a new book to read. She picked up her favorite one and hugged it.

"Then I guess I'll just checkout this one."

"But you've read it a million times!"

"That's because it's so good," she explained with awe. "Daring princes, damsels in distress, and a happy ending. I love it!"

"If you like it that much, you may have it," he chuckled.

"Oh, but I couldn't—"

"Oh but you can," he replied, ushering her out the door. "I won't take no for an answer."

"Thank you, sir," Anzu said, much obliged. She left the bookstore and decided to read by the fountain.

"Hello, Anzu," Malik said, sitting down next to her. "What are you reading?"

"A book of fairytales," she replied, closing it and looking at him. "What brings you here? Not your brother, I hope?"

"Actually, yes. He wants to talk to you."

"Well, I don't want to talk to him," she replied coolly. "I'm tired of being bothered by him and his stupid fantasies."

Malik chuckled. He liked Anzu; she had a good heart and hadn't fallen for his brother like every other love-struck girl in the village. Marik had often asked Mr. Mazaki about arranging a marriage, but her father always refused. Malik could just see Marik holding a pitchfork and chasing after his bride.

"At least talk to him," Malik begged. "He punishes me when you don't."

"Alright, I'll do it for you."

The pair walked into the tavern. Marik was busy wolfing down his breakfast. Malik and Anzu walked over to him.

"Ah, Anzu, just the person I wanted to talk to," he said. "Malik, you can leave."

Malik shrugged and went over to play cards. Anzu sat down and stared at her stalker.

"Anzu, I don't see why you won't marry me," Marik started. "Any other girl in town would jump at the chance to be my bride."

"Well, I'm not any other girl."

"I know, and that's exactly why I want to marry you. You're a challenge; I like challenges. I love the chase you're putting up," he said with a hint of seduction.

"Marik, flattery isn't going to win me over."

"Then what will!"

"Maybe an attitude adjustment…"

Anzu stood up and made to leave. Marik jumped and blocked the exit.

"Anzu-chan, why can't I invite you to dinner?" he purred.

"Don't ever call me that again," she said firmly. "Only my husband is allowed to call me that." She walked under Marik's arm and back towards her house.

"I know," he said softly. "And I will be that husband."

As Anzu approached her house, she saw smoke rising from the roof and out of the basement windows.

"Papa!" she called through the smoke. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine dear," he choked. Mr. Mazaki popped out from under a strange contraption. He was a plump little man in overalls, his gray bangs frayed with sweat. "I can't get this darn thing to work."

"I'm sure you'll get it done by tomorrow morning," his daughter replied encouragingly. "The convention won't be a convention without you."

"If only the judges thought like you."

"Oh Papa, you're a certainty to win."

"Only in your eyes, my sweet apricot," he replied sadly. "Could you hand me that wrench?"

Anzu smiled and helped her father fix his woodchopper thingy.

"So, how was your day in the market?" Mr. Mazaki asked.

"Good… I got a new book."

"That's nice. Anything else?"

"Well, the usual stalker…"

"That Ishtar fellow is still trying to marry you?" he asked, astounded. "He's not giving up, huh?"

"Unfortunately not. He even knows I hate him!" she grumbled. "If it were Malik, I'd definitely give the guy a chance. But rude, obnoxious, stalking, perverted Marik? I don't think so."

"You'll find that someone soon enough," her father said reassuringly. "Your mother and I didn't have an arranged marriage, and I don't agree with it. I'm not going to force you to marry someone you deem unworthy."

"I love you," Anzu said, kissing him on the cheek.

"I love you too."

Just then, the machine went haywire and started chopping wood like mad.

"Well I'll be darned," Mr. Mazaki said. "It's working… We did it!"

"Yes, we did."

She and her father went upstairs to get washed up and ready for dinner.

Meanwhile…

At the home of the Ishtar brothers, Marik was contemplating on how to lure Anzu into marrying him.

"She'll never do it," Malik reminded him. "She's too smart."

"She's too damn irresistible," Marik replied. "I must have her."

"What are you going to do? Trap her in a corner and make her marry you or else?" he asked jokingly.

"Maybe……"

The next morning…

"Goodbye, Papa!" Anzu called. "Have fun!"

"You too! Stay out of trouble!" Mr. Mazaki replied, riding away on his horse. The woodchopper was loaded on a cart attached to the horse. He rode off, following the map his grandfather had made of the woods. The forest was quaint, and, early in the morning, there wasn't much going on.

Once inside again, Anzu decided to make some herbal tea. Just as she was getting out a teapot, someone knocked on the door loudly. She walked quickly over to the door, wondering if perhaps her father had forgotten something. She looked out the peephole and sighed. She unlocked the door and let Marik in.

"Well, hello there, Anzu," he said sweetly, stepping in and taking off his shoes. He was wearing a suit and holding some flowers. "These are for you."

"Thanks," she mumbled, taking them and going into the kitchen. Marik was acting weird today. What was with the flowers and nice clothes? Had he actually taken her words to heart? If so, maybe she should give him a chance. She walked back into the living room to see Marik sitting on the couch.

"So, Marik, why are you here?" she asked, sitting down next to him.

"You, of course," he replied, facing her. "I've decided we can do this the easy way or the hard way."

"Marik, what are you talking about?"

"Getting married."

Anzu got up and backed away. "I already told you that I don't love you!"

"Love has nothing to do with marriage, my sweet," he replied, taking off his blazer and tossing it on the couch. He unbuttoned a few buttons of his shirt and walked over to her. She was pressed against her front door, terrified of what he was going to do.

"Marriage is supposed to be all about trade," he explained, putting on hand on the door next to her head. "I give your father money and he gives me you: that's how it's supposed to be. However, your father is so drugged up that he can't come to do that. So I'm giving you two choices."

He placed his other hand on the other side of her head. She was trapped against the door, his arms preventing her from escaping. He took the hand that was closest to the corner away and reached down into his pocket. Two seconds later, he pulled out a beautiful ring.

"For you, my love," he said, slipping it onto her finger. When she looked up into his eyes, Anzu knew that there was no hint of love in them. He just wanted her for lustful reasons.

"What are m-my options?" she stammered. Marik smirked.

"You can either give me your hand in marriage," he began, fondling her hand. Her eyes widened when he put his lips next t her ear.

"Or… you can give me your soul in bed," he whispered possessively, licking her ear.

Anzu shuddered at his touch. He started tracing the curves on her body, and she looked around for help. She grabbed the doorknob with her free hand and opened the door. Stepping out of the way, she pushed him out of her house, threw his shoes and blazer out behind him, and slammed the door. Marik tripped on the stairs and fell face-forward into a muddy pond.

She sighed and glanced over at the pretty bouquet of flowers. Then she picked them up and threw them into the fireplace.

By evening, Mr. Mazaki had come to a fork.

"Which way? I can't read this map," he muttered. One path looked okay while the other was dark and scary. The horse trotted off towards the clear one.

"Let's take this one," Mr. Mazaki argued, pointing towards the dark road. Gripping the reigns, he forced his horse down the path. The moon came out, and an owl hooted. A flock of bats flew out of nowhere, startling the horse. Mr. Mazaki was knocked off the horse, which galloped away.

"At least I'm okay…"

Ironically, a pack of wolves appeared at the top of a bank. Mr. Mazaki gasped as they chased after him. He ran quite a ways before tripping on a large stone. His hat flew off and he looked up a giant stone castle. Looking behind him, he jumped onto the gate. Just as he climbed over the iron fence, the wolves reached him. When he fell onto the other side, one of them managed to bite onto his cloak.

"Let go!" he cried, pulling away and the material ripping. He staggered up the steps of the castle and banged on the doors. One of them creeped open, and so he ventured inside.


The door slowly opened and a pair of bright blue eyes peered out. The door opened all the way as Anzu stepped outside. Closing it behind her, she began to tend to the farm animals.

"Ugh! I can't believe that Marik Ishtar," she complained. "Perverted creep, licking my ear! I'd beat him down if I could!"

The pig she was feeding merely grumped in response.

"Some advice," she groaned. "Why am I talking to a pig? Is this really the life for me? Being a housewife and taking care of animals? I hate this society; there isn't a man in this town that I'd ever marry. I want to go out there and explore! I don't want to live this life forever until I die!"

At that very moment, her father's horse rode up.


"Hello?" Mr. Mazaki asked, his voice echoing through the stone walls. "Is anyone home?"

The room was dull and gloomy, a large grand staircase leading upstairs. Many old portraits hung on the tattered walls, and two long corridors resided on each side of the staircase. A coffee table was positioned to his left, and placed on top of it was a candelabra and a miniature grandfather clock.

"Hello?" he asked again.

The candelabra glanced over at the clock, who gave a 'no-no' look. Too bad: Joey Wheeler loved annoying Seto Kaiba.

"Good evening, sir," Joey said. "Welcome to our humble bode."

"Humble abode," Kaiba automatically corrected.

"What? Who's there?" the man asked, picking up Joey and trying to see.

"Over here," Joey said, tapping him on the shoulder. Mr. Mazaki gasped.

"Hello."

"Ah!" he cried, dropping Joey onto the table. "You're alive!"

"You fool," Kaiba scorned, shaking his left handle. It was actually quite strange how they looked. Kaiba's face was the clock face, two handles were his arms and hands, and the clock legs were his legs. Joey didn't have feet, just a circular platform. There were three candles on him, the center one bearing his face. The other two were his arms.

"And a talking clock," Mr. Mazaki marveled, picking Kaiba up.

"Put me down, you Neanderthal! Put me down at once!"

"Sir, what brings ya here?" Joey asked, breaking the tension.

"Well, I was on my way to fair and I got lost in the woods. It was cold and I was looking for a place to stay," the old man responded, sneezing.

"Sir, you're sick," Joey exclaimed, hoping onto the floor and bouncing over to a doorway. "Come, warm yerself by da fire."

"No, no, no! I simply won't have it!" Kaiba argued. "The master won't be happy."

"Shush, moneybags, da masta don't hafta know," Joey replied, pointing to a chair for Mr. Mazaki.

"Not the master's chair!"

Soon, Mr. Mazaki was warm and snug. A cart wheeled up with a teapot and some cups.

"Would you like a spot of tea?" Isis asked, pouring some tea.

"Why thank you," he said, taking a sip. The cup laughed. "Oh my!"

"Momma, that tickles," Mokuba giggled.

Suddenly, the parlor doors burst open. All the lights went out, even Joey's. Isis and Mokuba backed off, and Kaiba hid under the rug.

"Who's there!" Mr. Mazaki asked frightfully, peering around the edge of his chair. When he looked around the other side, he met a pair of eyes.

"What are you doing!" a deep voice rumbled. "Why are you here!"

"Masta," Joey tried, "he's just a poor fella dat got lost in da woods—"

"SILENCE!" he bellowed. "You, sir, are a trespasser!"

As he came into the light, Mr. Mazaki realized that he wasn't human! It was some sort of monster!

"You're… you're a…"

"To the dungeons with you!" the beast ordered.

"No! No, please!"


The lone rider stopped in front of the castle gates. Anzu dismounted the horse and looked around, noticing her father's hat.

"Papa!"

Once she was inside the bastion, she was even more afraid. She glanced around before deciding to search for her father.

"Hello?" she asked. "Umm, is anyone there? I'm looking for my father…"

Upstairs, the 'objects' were discussing what had just happened.

"Dat poor old man."

"It's his fault," Kaiba sneered. "He shouldn't be poking his nose in places it doesn't belong."

Joey's ears twitched when he heard a voice.

"Kaiba, I just heard sumthin…"

The candelabra and clock ventured out onto the landing to discover a girl.

"A girl! She could be da one to break da spell!"

"Yeah right. The master will never learn to love."

"Hello?" Anzu tried again. She saw a light and heard voices from upstairs, but when she got there, she found no one. Another light was coming from a small flight of stairs. She discovered some candles but nothing more. "Hello?"

"Anzu," a voice coughed, "is that you?"

"Papa!" she cried, running to the cell and kneeling down by him. "Who did this to you?"

"Anzu, get out of here before he captures you too! He's a monster!"

"Who?" she asked, and, at that moment, the lights blew out again. Anzu whipped around to see a shadow standing in the doorway. She mustered up all the courage she had before speaking.

"Release my father at once," she demanded.

"Not a chance; he trespassed and now he must pay."

"He didn't know!" she pleaded.

"Well, then too bad for him!"

"Wait," she cried, "take me instead…"

"Anzu, no!" her father cried.

"What? You'd take his place? Foolish girl, you would remain a prisoner here forever."

Anzu bit her lip. She didn't even know what this guy looked like. "Come into the light."

He sighed and stepped into the moonlight. His silver long hair glittered, and his gray eyes were penetrating. He had tan skin and a scar across his left eye. His clothes were tattered and he was in desperate need of a bath. She took a deep breath before looking at her father again.

"Well?" he asked, irritated.

"You have my word," she replied sadly.

"Done."

He strode over to the cell and broke the door. Grabbing Mr. Mazaki, he went outside and ordered the ancient coach to take the man to the village. Bakura returned to see Anzu staring out the window.

"I didn't even get to say goodbye…"

He stared at her for along time. She was definitely beautiful, but he wasn't about to fall head-over-heels in love with some girl. He didn't really like women; he just used to sleep with them for pleasure.

"Come with me; I'll show you to your room."

"My room?"

"Would you rather stay in the tower?"

"No…"

"Then follow me."

And so, the beauty reluctantly followed the beast deep into the castle.