Disclaimer: I don't own any of these characters; the all belongs to Diana W Jones and H Miyazaki.

Chapter 2 in which Howl is searching for Sophie and Sophie herself meets another guy.

The next day, Howl walked downstairs to the living room. He was feeling much better than yesterday from his cold. But in his heart he was feeling pain and sadness. Howl was really worried about Sophie; he realized that he was very mean to her. He turned around to Calcifer, who was burning in the fireplace like always.

"Good morning, Calcifer", he said with a sadly voice. "Have you seen Sophie since yesterday?"

"No", said Calcifer. "She went out to the town after her fight with you."

"Did she mention when she will return?" Howl asked worried.

"No" said the fire demon. "She said that she will return, but I didn't believe her. I can hear when a human lies to me. But I can't blame her, she was really upset yesterday."

That made the wizard even more worried than before.

"I have to find her", he said." She can't just leave, when there are people here who love her!"

"Wait! Do you love Sophie?" Calcifer asked surprised .Howl began to blush horribly. His face turned blood red and because of his blond hair, it looked like he got sunburned or something. Calcifer laughed:

"It looks like our wizard has fallen in love again!"

"Oh, just shut up!" the wizard said angrily.

Michael, Howl's student entered the living room. He has heard everything.

"Master Howl, is it true that Sophie had left us forever, and that you have fallen in love with her?"

"You are not suppose to listen when other people are talking in privacy", Howl said, he was still blushing. "You should practice these magical spells I gave you last week for homework."

"He doesn't need homework, the boy lives here and we weren't talking in privacy."

"Calcifer! I wasn't talking to you! We have to find Sophie immediately, before she gets hurt or something!"

"Maybe she went to Mrs Fairfax", Michael said. "She's an important friend to Sophie and her sister Lettie."

"Yeah, I know", the wizard said. " We should ask Mrs Fairfax if she has seen Sophie. You Michael should stay here with Calcifer. I'm going alone to talk to her."

"Be careful, Howl", Michael said. "We don't want you to get killed."

"I promise." He said. Howl took his coat then he transformed his body to a bird's. Only his face was the same and then he flew out from his moving castle.

Sophie's POV

I was in the town. I was wearing my new red coat that Mrs Fairfax gave me last Christmas. It was many people who where shopping their Christmas gifts. I have already bought may Christmas gifts to Howl, Michael and Calcifer. Their gifts were hidden under Howl's bed. I hope that they will find them.

When I'm with Howl, it feels like I can't breathe. He always makes me so nervous. Maybe it's because of his unique personality. Why did I fall in love with this crazy wizard? We're not meant to be with each other. He's a powerful sorcerer who has many dangerous missions and I'm just… Sophie. Sophie Hatter, a girl who is very good at making dresses and to clean houses. A beautiful witch or a princess will fit him better than I. Besides, he doesn't miss me.

I was running in the street. I saw people everywhere, especially young couples, who were holding hands and smiling at each other. I was running so fast that I didn't notice that I went into a person. I fell in his arms.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! I.…"

I looked up and saw his face. I was chocked.

"It's all right", he said. "Don't worry about me."

The young man looked similar to Howl. I couldn't believe my eyes! But he wasn't Howl. Or was he?

"Howl, just let me go!" I said.

"Howl? I'm not Howl. My name is Snake Sword."

I looked again at his face. His eyes were green instead of blue and his hair was red. Howl has also red hair sometimes, he used to change his hair colour every week, sometimes he has black hair, sometimes he has blond hair and sometimes he has red hair, like this guy. I don't even know which hair colour is Howl's natural, perhaps blond. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore, the thing is except for the green eyes, and Mr Sword looked exactly like Howl! Was I dreaming? He also has a weird name, just like Howl. But Snake was different in one way. He has a mysterious vision.

"I'm so sorry, Mr Sword," I said shyly. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

"It's all right, my beautiful lady."

He kissed my hand and I was blushing. Howl was never like this with me.

"May I invite you to my home for a cup of tea?" He asked politely.

"Um…okay", I said.

We walked together in the street. He was kind and polite and so perfect, but I had still a bad feeling inside my heart. Who was this man? He was hiding something, I can feel it…

Please Review, but only constructive critic. I know that this chapter was short, but I prefer many chapters that are short, than a few chapters that are very long.

I will update as soon as I can .

I want to thank Annie-chan alias LorelaiLukeForever, and my friends Jeanette, Tove, and Adam. These crazy people have inspired and helped me.