Disclaimer: I do not own Howl's Moving Castle or any of the characters in it.

Chapter One: Home

I had woken up this morning before Howl had, I needed to get to the market before the crowd came, today

was sale day and we needed stuff for dinner. I'd been looking in the market all morning. I got all the

ingredients I needed to prepare dinner for us tonight in record breaking time and needed to get home to start

chores so maybe after I'd have some relaxing time. Market Chipping was already packed and I was stuck in a

mob that didn't seem to move. One of the young men grabbed my arm and I swung around wondering what

the problem was. "Miss I need some help" the man said smiling at me wickedly. "What is it?" I asked a little bit

worried and a tad bit startled. "I need something!" I pulled my arm out of his grasp and looked at him "What is

it?". He struggled to say it "I need you!" he screeched. I jumped and his arms went around my waist he held on

so hard as I tried to get him off. I looked down at his hands and the man put his lips on mine. I screamed and

pushed against him it was no use. Is started to cry as his hands moved to other places. his arms restrained me

until I kicked him and he pulled away in pain. I ran as fast as I could without the groceries and tears dripping

down my face. I made it home and I pulled the keys out and unlocked the door. I looked around inside. No one

was downstairs, I yelled " I'm home" before I went to the sink to start washing dishes that were left behind

from last night when Howl and I had more important things to do upstairs than wash dishes. I put the dishes in

the cabinet when i felt to warm arms wrap around me. They were so much gentler then the other

ones..."cariad" Howl whispered in my ear. "You weren't there when I woke up this morning. I missed you." I

leaned my head on him "Hi" I said gazing up at his face. His green eyes captured mine as his light blond hair

hung loosely around his shoulders. He smirked at me. "Hello dear. Wish to explain or are you going to mimic me

and slither-out of my question?" "I was hoping I could get out of it, I don't feel like talking about it" I replied

hoping he'd just drop it. "Hmmm...why is that?" he said. I pulled my head up and continued putting the

potatoes away. I expected him to drop his hands off of my waist and for him to go engage himself in other

things but he continued to hold me..as if he really knew what was wrong without me having to tell him. "Howl?"

I said, "his face pressed against the side of my head, he put his mouth to my ear and whispered softly "Yes

cariad?" "I love you" "Sophie I love you too, more than anything in this world, and I know you well enough by

this point to know somethings the matter" he looked at me concern flooding his eyes. "Its nothing, I'll tell you

later Howl, why don't we have some fun tonight? We can invite Megan and the kids..." Howl interceded me

"um...do you wanna have fun or a party?" "I don't know Howl, isn't a party fun?" "Not in the slightest" he

kissed my for head, "why don't we go to Whales and see a movie and then go to dinner, and you can tell me

whats bothering you so much to the point where you want to have fun with my sister." I agreed and he kissed

me, it started out slow and grew with passion, then i thought of the man in Market Chipping. I felt safe here,

with him, he loved me and would protect me no matter what. "I need to go get ready" I said breaking the kiss.

I watched him as i went up the steps, his eyes looked sad like it hurt to see me go...perhaps it did. It hurts me

when I see him leave. Maybe the feeling was mutual.

(A/N:My first story! Please comment.)