Once again, I apologize for the brevity of this chapter. I really would like to write longer chapters, and I know I could if I forced myself, but I always hit a certain point where I find myself saying, "Enough. Go post it." So...sorry. I'll try to make the next chapter a bit more full. I hope you like this one, though! It's your second glance at the Beast!

Huge thanks to the reviewers of chapter 4: Bellaroe and TiaArmanti. Really, thank you so much.

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 5:

"Answer me, Belle."

By now, Belle was accustomed to the Beast's horrid rasp, so she no longer trembled at every word he uttered. However, speaking to him was still nothing less than an ordeal. If only he wouldn't say her name.

"I'd rather not repeat my question. Answer me."

Belle lifted her gaze from her feet to the Beast's terrifying red eyes. What a hideous monster.

"Belle."

She couldn't ignore the threatening tone of his voice. Taking a deep breath, she replied in a quavering voice, "Yes. I did ask Francoise if I could attend the local church."

"I see," he said. He turned his shaggy head away and began to stare into the fire blazing in the hearth.

Belle squirmed on her uncomfortable wooden stool. Why wouldn't he just allow her to return to her chamber and sleep? He obviously had nothing to say to her. No matter what Francoise said about him or his parentage, Belle knew he was no more than a dumb, heartless, horrid beast.

"I'll allow you to attend church, if you really wish to," he unexpectedly said.

Belle froze, too startled to respond.

The Beast let out a rough snort of annoyance. "You may attend church," he repeated.

"I don't believe it," Belle breathed.

"That's because you think I'm nothing but an unfeeling animal," the Beast snarled. He sounded thoroughly disgusted. When Belle made no reply, he fixed his eyes on hers and demanded, "Don't you?"

Belle could see that he was near to exploding. This happened occasionally during their evening conversations. She knew by now that he would never actually harm her, but this didn't prevent dread from welling up inside her. "No," she hastily said, hoping to appease him. "I-I don't think that."

"Don't lie to me," he growled, rising up on his hind legs so that he loomed over the terrified girl.

"I didn't," she squeaked.

"Yes, you did!" he roared. He glared down at her, attempting to intimidate her into speaking truthfully. After a few moments, he snarled, set down his front legs, and began to stalk angrily about the room. "I'm growing weary of your imbecility," he snarled. "You're nothing but a shell of a girl. There's no substance in you."

"And you're nothing but a revolting monster," Belle muttered under her breath.

She hadn't intended for the Beast to hear her, but he did. "There it is!" he exclaimed. He sounded almost triumphant. "Anger. Well done. Long have I been waiting for you to show an emotion other than blank terror."

Belle stared at the Beast in complete bewilderment.

"Insult me again," he urged her. "If you won't, I'll take my turn and verbally abuse you until your ears bleed."

Belle had no response. She was too shocked to say anything.

"Very well, then," the Beast rumbled. Positioning himself so that he stood directly in front of Belle, he began to speak rapidly and with alarming vehemence. "You always say you're simple," he began, "and at the very least, I must give you credit for knowing yourself well. You're the most vapid girl I've ever seen. Whether I roar at you, reason with you, or simply remain silent, your face and posture stay the same. I can only conclude that you must be a halfwit.

"Though you may not have noticed (since my attempts are not always successful),l I've tried to control my temper when speaking with you. I thought kindness would unfreeze you, but now I believe my approach was completely wrong from the start. My first impression was that you were some sort of ice sculpture, but now I see that you're a mere block of wood. Unfeeling, unmoving, and entirely dumb."

"You're the unfeeling one!" Belle cried out, leaping to her feet. As soon as she realized what she had said, she regretted her words. She was half-convinced that the Beast would rip her apart for her insolence.

However, he was nodding his approval. "I don't deny it," he conceded. "I've never felt for anyone. I can't remember feeling anything except wrath, bitterness, and disgust. Yet I'd rather be eternally vicious than perpetually frightened."

His voice was dripping with derision, and the mockery fueled Belle's anger. "Stop talking," she snapped at him. "I hate your voice."

"You're improving," the Beast remarked. "You've felt both fear and anger in a single minute."

"Animal."

"That won't offend me anymore. I'd much rather be a full animal than a caricature of a human."

"I'm not a caricature."

"Perhaps not. Perhaps we're both animals. I'm a beast, while you're a timorous, bald rabbit."

"Stop it!" Belle demanded. She was so angry that tears were threatening to spill out of her eyes. "I'm tired of talking to you. Let me return to my room."

"As you wish." It almost looked as though the Beast was smirking at her, and he was emitting a peculiar rumbling sound that must have been laughter. "Incidentally, you're still permitted to attend church. However, you must enter after the service has begun and leave before it has concluded. Francoise will go with you."

"Thank you," Belle muttered before swiftly exiting the room and slamming the door behind her. The Beast's muffled laughter followed her down the hall.

The next morning, Belle awoke in a foul mood. She stomped down the hallway to the staircase, ready to treat Francoise abominably over breakfast. "I'm not a rabbit," she said bitterly as she made her way down the main staircase of the castle. She scowled at each step. A short distance from the base of the stairs, she raised her eyes and stopped in her tracks.

There was the Beast, just about to ascend the stairs. Belle's initial instinct was to cower before him, but, remembering their exchange of the night before, she took a deep breath and asked in what she hoped was a strong voice, "What do you want?"

The Beast snorted. "I'm glad your liveliness didn't float away in the night," he replied. "And I have no business with you at present." He swept past her and continued on his way.

Burning with curiosity, Belle stared after him. She had never before seen the Beast roaming the castle. He looked much smaller when not enclosed in the four walls of his antechamber.

As though sensing that he was being watched, he suddenly turned and looked down at his prisoner. "Why are you still here?" he asked.

She made no reply.

"Tell me your thoughts."

The direct command nearly caused Belle to run away in fear. However, she succeeded in standing her ground and holding the Beast's gaze. "N-No," she managed to stammer before turning and dashing for the safety of the kitchen.

"Well done, little rabbit!" the Beast called after her. His voice held equal parts mockery and approval.

What do you think? I'm a bit nervous about this chapter, so I'd love any feedback you have, whether praise or criticism!