Hello everyone. I'm sorry it's taken so long to update. I felt bad because I had been neglecting my drawing. I'll try to be better about updating this and my other story. I don't own Howl's moving castle.

Living with Howl

Chapter 3

Sophie came through the fog into Wales. She closed the door and scanned the scenery. She shouldn't have come by herself. She and Howl had only been to Wales a couple of times and she still got turned around. She was about to give up and turn back when she spotted Megan's house. Neil was outside playing with one of his friends. They stopped and watched as Sophie approached. She waved and smiled awkwardly. "Excuse me…um…Neil, is it? Have you seen Howl?" Neil's friend nodded.

"He was here a little bit ago bugging Neil's mom then he went off with some woman. Don't know where he is now," the boy answered. Sophie felt her stomach clench. Went off with some woman?

"Did you happen to see which way they went?" She choked out. Neil pointed.

"She lives somewhere that way. That's the way they went. I'm not sure which house. I think it's blue."

"Thank you," Sophie said as she moved off in the direction. She was going to kill Howl. She knew it had been stupid to trust him. Her eyes filled with tears. Maybe Lettie would let her stay at her and Ben's house. She wiped at her eyes and scanned the block looking for a blue house. There were five. Sophie stamped her foot. She should just go back, pack her things, and forget she ever met Howl. It wasn't like she knew him that well. The thought of leaving him tore at her heart. She stood half-turned toward the door back to the castle, unsure of what she should do now. From one of the blue houses she heard his voice. Quickly she dove into a bush and watched as the door opened and Howl stepped out onto the porch. A petite woman with short spikey hair followed him out. He turned to her and smiled.

"Thank you for agreeing to see me today," he said as he kissed her hand. She giggled.

"It's always a pleasure Howl." She wrapped her arms around him and whispered in his ear. Sophie's anger rose until she was shaking. She shot out of the bushes like a frightened cat and ran back to the door, her mind made up. She would send a message to Lettie as soon as she got home.

Howl turned, startled, and saw just the tail end of Sophie's dress as she disappeared around the corner. "Sophie?"

"What was that?" the girl asked.

"I'd better go." Howl waved then walked back to the castle. He took a deep breath before turning the handle and entering the castle. A slight buzzing sound told him to duck moments before a saucer shattered above his head.

"How could you?!" Sophie shouted at him. He put on his most innocent expression.

"What?" She advanced on him and poked him in the chest.

"Don't you what me! I thought I could trust you!" Sophie threw up her hands and stormed back to her bed to finish packing. As soon as she had hit the door she had sent a message to Lettie with Michael telling Lettie that she would be there by nightfall. Howl glared at Calcifer.

"Oh Calcifer," he said casually, "you didn't happen to tell Sophie where I was going did you?" Calcifer shrank back and reached out for a log, avoiding Howl's gaze. "Calcifer…" Howl reached out and plucked the log away from the fire demon.

"Hey," Calcifer hissed. "I need that. I'm going to go out."

"If you told Sophie where I went, good riddance to you."

"She tricked me into telling her. What's the big deal about you going to Wales anyway."

"Sophie saw something that she misconstrued. Why couldn't you just stick to our story?"

"Have you ever seen her when she gets determined? It's frightening." Sophie stalked out holding her bags. She lifted her chin and walked past Howl. He grabbed her arm.

"Sophie please. Let me explain."

"Oh so you know why I'm upset now?"

"Sophie, it wasn't what it looked like!" She wrenched her arm out of Howl's grasp and made it to the door.

"Goodbye Howl. I never want to see you again." She slammed the door behind her. Howl sank down into the chair next to the fire.

"What happened?" Calcifer asked.

"I have to make this right again Calcifer. If I could get her to go to Wales with me, to meet Myra, she would understand." Howl fell into deep thought.

"Just do me a favor and don't fill the house with green slime. I don't think I could take it again." Howl's head snapped up to glare at Calcifer again.

"You're going to help me get her back."

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By the time Sophie reached Lettie's house her face was streaked with tears and her eyes were red. Lettie opened the door and embraced her sister. "Oh Sophie, tell me all about what happened."

A/N: Another short chapter. Enjoy.