I know, I know, I should really be working on my other stories but a thought kind of occured to me and I have noticed that my Howl one-shots are really popular. So I am in bed, looking up Sophie/Howl pictures when a thought kind of occurs to me: Wha if Howl and Sophie met when they were kids? There is no proof of Howl's age and there is at least one scene in the movie that may have been Sophie thinking of of past. I know that Howl said that his uncle was the one that took him in but this particular story starts before he was with his uncle and before he realized that he wanted to be a wizard. In fact, this kind of takes place when Sophie and Howl was Michael's age (maybe seven or eight?). I'll be quiet now and let you enjoy this little story. Please review and tell me if I should continue or not. Also, if there are any errors, just know that I am typing this on my phone and my phone doesn't like to tell me if there are any mistakes. Please enjoy, review/request/flame, and don't forget to stay human!
I will say this once and it will imply to the rest of the story: I do NOT own Howl's Moving Castle or any of the original characters, only my OCs and this story's plot.
Chapter One: The Boy
Today is my seventh birthday. As usual, I am in the hat shop helping father while Lettie and mother are in the kitchen cooking something that smelled like strawberries being cooked (if anyone has read my one-shots then you should know know what I mean). I was helping father pick out decorations for a pink hat when I heard the shop bell ring. I hopped off of the stood that I was on and went to the front where I saw a very elegant woman in a sunny yellow dress and a light pink hat with yellow flowers lacing the brim. Her hair was black and her eyes reminded me of coffee beans. Her fair skin made her a very pretty lady. Next to her was a tall, scary man. His blond hair and mustache hind his face of any emotion that he might have had. His uniform was a big clue to tell anyone that he is a soldier. His bright blue eyes were calming too. In between the couple, which I didn't notice because he was hiding behind the lady, was a boy with blackish-blue hair and bright blue eyes. His skin was fair like the ladies but his eyes matched the man purfectly. He wore a simple white shirt with black pants and matching shoes. He seemed to be my age.
"How can I help you?" I heard father ask from behind me.
"My wife and I are going to be attending a party tomorrow night and I would like to buy her a new hat that will go with her red gown," I heard the army man say to father.
"What shade, if I might ask, is your wife's dress?" Father asked the man. I knew that it would take a while for them to identify the right shade. I have noticed the most men are terrible when it comes to exact color. So instead of listening to the long list again, which I have almost memorized, I decided to go out to the front of the store to sweep. Yes, sweeping is way more interesting than listening to fifty different shades of the same color. I was getting close to the corner of the store when one of the school bullies came around the corner. He is a light skinned, blond headed boy who loved to pick on girls.
"It would seem like the little mouse trailed too far from her home. How about I take you to my hiding place until we find you a new home?" The ten years old boy said. If I wasn't so scared of him, I probably would have clobbered him.
"No thank you. I'm not too far away," I said but my voice came out in more of a whisper. I can feel myself trembling. Just then, I see an other one of the school bullies. This one had black hair and was twelve, I think, and he was so much taller than the first boy.
"I think we should take her with us anyways," the second bully sad before trying to grab me. I didn't realize someone pulled me away until I saw both bullies scowl at something, or someone, behind me. I turned around only to find that it was the boy from the shop. He glared at the bullies before turning to me with a blank expression.
"Our parents are waiting for us," he said before grabbing my hand and pulling me away from them. He didn't lead me to the shop, he actually dragged me close to the kitchen door on the opposite side of the wall that the bullies were hinding in before. However, he stopped when the bullies were out of sight before turning to me again. "Are you okay?" Did he just ask if I was okay? A complete stranger asked me if I am okay! I nodded my head to tell him yes. I was just too shocked for words. Usually people only asked if old people needed help or if they were okay. Not kids, I think. After I nodded, he smiled for the first time sinc I have seen him. "I'm Howl and I will be your protector while my family is in town," the boy said as he stuck his hand out. I took it and we shook hands.
"I'm Sophie. Would you like some cookies? I think mother made some earlier today," I asked Howl, who nodded. I showed him into the kitchen. Something tells me that this will be a very different kind of friendship.
And there is the end of this chapter! I mainly came up with this idea, mainly out of no where, from the fact that Sophie and Howl fell in love a little too quickly in the morning. Besides, I don't think Howl would show just anyone his special place (the meddow with the flowers) to just anyone. I know I personally wouldn't fall heads over heals with just anyone. That is why my boyfriend is my best guy friend. Enough girlly talk! Please review/flame/request and let me know what you think of this story and whether you would like me to continue or not. Don't forget to stay human!
