Chapter 5: 'One Long Night'.

Disclaimer- I don't own Howls Moving Castle, all rights go to Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghilbi.


"Yes, he is my well… err…" Sophie stumbled for words. What exactly was Howl to her? A boyfriend or just a friend? They exchanged the odd kiss but nothing more. More importantly, what was she to Howl?

Howl studied Sophie's face for such some time before coming to a decision on what to say. "We're currently seeing each other."

Michael didn't day anything, he just stared intently at Howl and Sophie did the same.

"I'm sure I know you from somewhere…" Michael muttered.

"You probably do, dear, Howl owns a flying castle, he's quite renowned around the world," Honey smiled sweetly.

"Really how so? Intelligence; Talents?" Michael pressed on, still eyeing off Howl.

Michael's eye-balling was starting to get on Howl's nerves. He only thanked his lucky stars that Calcifer wasn't here. The fire demon would have already shot some rude remarks at the unwanted attention.

"Actually more like infamous," Howl responded gently with a smile.

"You're Howl? Howl the Wizard?" Michael asked, his face getting sterner.

"I am."

"You're the one that eats girl's hearts!" Michael exclaimed, suddenly his attention waved over to Honey who was standing by his side. "How can you trust this man with your daughter?!" He hissed.

"Michael! Howl is a lovely man!" Honey cried, disgusted.

"Excuse me, but I don't think my relationship with Howl is any of your business," Sophie cried. "You may be my step father but you have no right to tell me what to do, I've gone five years without a fathering figure and I don't need you coming in and telling me what it is I should do with my life!"

Sophie grabbed Howl by the hand and tugged him away, focusing on introducing him more to Lettie, who by now had started to take a liking to him. Sophie smiled, he really was charming.

"She's right, Michael, you really are a nice man but you need to mind your own business," Honey huffed, pouting her lips and crossing her arms. "You shouldn't have got onto her like that. You know how close she was to Roger, closer than Lettie or even I. She didn't need that and you know it. You owe her and especially Howl an apology."

Michael's lips pursed and he furrowed his brows.

"Now Michael," Honey said sternly, "You can go get the twins, it's about time they came down."

The older man huffed an incoherent reply and walked back into the mansion.

Slowly Honey's blue eyes turned back to the party. She recognized some of her guests, but then again some of them were Michael's friends. She didn't understand why he did that. Suddenly, it hit her.

Maybe bringing the twins down wasn't such a good idea.


Half an hour had past and Sophie was pleased with the progress of the relationship between Howl and Lettie. Howl had been a perfect gentleman, which wasn't out of the ordinary. He had wowed Lettie over with his charms and it seemed that Lettie had almost drowned in the blue pools that were Howls piercing blue eyes.

Now, however, Howl had been caught into conversation with a man around his age. He was very well built, with a European olive complexion, dark hair that was carefully groomed so that there was a small curl at the top of his head. Dark chocolate eyes peered out; he had small lips and a defined jaw line. Howl had managed to find out that Curzaro was his name and he talked with a strong Italian accent.

"So tell me, what is your relationship with the lovely Miss Hatter over there, the eldest one," Curzaro asked, his dark eye wandering over to the two siblings still chattering amongst themselves.

"We are together," Howl replied breezily; a smile lighting up his face.

"Oh, very good for you!" Curzaro smiled also, "I must say she is a very dazzling woman when she wants to be. I've heard many a man have tried wooing her in the past. How old is she now… Nearing nineteen?"

A pang of jealously stung Howl although he knew there was no reason to be. Sophie wouldn't leave him for anybody. He was sure of that.

"Yes, her birthday is in a few weeks," Howl replied, looking at Sophie intently as she let out a giggle whilst talking to Lettie.

"I see."


"He's very charming Sophie," Lettie smiled, "I can see how you fell for him."

"Yes," Sophie smiled.

"Is he good to you, Sophie?" Lettie asked.

"He is very good to me Lettie. He bought me a dress the other day for no reason I could see, he just told me that it was special," Sophie smiled.

"Gosh, that so romantic, none of the guys down at the bakery do that to me, not even Harry," Lettie sighed, "Tell me what else he's done, there's bound to be more."

"A little while after the war, a week or so after Suleiman had ended it I fell ill with a cold. The castle had been destroyed in the war so Howl had drained all his magic to build a new one. Nether the less, he got up, got dressed, made me breakfast, added some magic in it to help me get better and gave me breakfast in bed then laid with me for the rest of the day."

"Wow," Lettie said gob-smacked. Suddenly a thought sparked in her mind. She looked at Howl then looked at Sophie.

"Any other gifts, maybe jewellery?" Lettie asked.

"No, Lettie, no rings yet," Sophie replied a small smile on her face.

"Maybe a necklace… Even a pair of earrings? Men tend to start small, Harry is just past the necklace stage which means he'll be looking at rings probably as soon as I'm old enough," Lettie told her sister.

"No, Howl isn't like that, we've barely been together a month, I think marriage is a long way off! Not that I wouldn't mind you know," Sophie replied, smiling slightly.

She would marry Howl someday, she was sure of that, if everything went thier way. She couldn't think of anyone else she could have possibly fallen for. In some cases she supposed she should thank the Witch of the Waste for turning her into a ghastly old woman. If she didn't she was almost certain there was no possible way that Howl would have seen her again after he had saved her.

"I really love your dress Sophie, it's so beautiful. You look so different; you don't normally wear such elaborate things."

"Oh thank you, Howl made it," Sophie smiled, admiring it herself.

"Made it? How?" Lettie asked.

"Magic," Sophie said simply.

"Oh really, I've heard his extremely powerful, but of course you'd know first hand, huh?" Lettie said, getting a little naughty with her wording.

Sophie seemed to not register the second meaning, "Defiantly, he created his castle you know, pure magic."

Lettie was disappointed she didn't get a reaction from her older sister, "Isn't he very selfish when it comes to his magic. Oh and I've also heard he's quite vain."

Sophie smiled, "He's changed so much since he met me."

"Like his blonde hair, what happened to that?"

"Different story," Sophie assured her, "Tell you later."

"He isn't selfish what-so-ever. He used to spend ages in the bathroom but now he sometimes forgets to fix himself completely up. I can't tell you how many times I've stopped him from going out the door with bed hair. He likes to use his magic, if I had magical powers I'm sure I would too! But in no way is he ever selfish."

"You really love him don't you?" Lettie said softly taking Sophie's small hands.

"So much," Sophie replied.

"I'm so happy for you Sophie, I'm so glad everything worked out for you, ever since dad died we've been worried about you," Lettie gave her sister a quick embrace.

"How so?"

"Have you any thoughts on what to get her?" Curzaro asked Howl who seemed to be lost in his thoughts, unconsciously swirling his drink in its plastic cup.

"No… I thought of flowers, but she runs a flower shop," Howl said softly.

Curzaro burst out in a hearty laugh, "My friend, you have met more girls than I will ever meet in my life but you have no idea about gifts."

Howl smiled, "Then what do you suggest?"

"How long have you been together?"

Howl shrugged, "not that long really."

"I see, I suggest jewellery; nothing suggestive like a ring but nothing 'teenage romance'-y like a pair of earrings. How about a necklace? Does she like jewels?"

Again Howl shrugged, "I'd have to talk with my other friend and he seems to know more about her than I do." He remembered vividly when Calcifer still held his heart; he was able to tell him exactly what he had done to tick Sophie off so much. Or what type of flower she liked so he was confident that when he showed her his secret hideaway it was growing there.

"Alright, you come see me when you're done discussing things with your friend, I'll help you out, eh?" Curzaro patted Howl on the back before giving him a small piece of paper.

"Here's my card, that's my address and my phone number."

Howl studied it, before nodding. "5 Illiana Street, 04 5623 0012; Alright, I'll see if my friend wants to come as well. I could use his experience."

"Excellent! I shall talk to you later, it looks like your lady wants you," Curzaro smiled and motioned to Sophie who was looking over in his direction.

Before Howl could say anything, Curzaro had walked off, determined to get some more punch.


"Sophie," Howl acknowledged her, slipping his arms around her waist, his blue eyes looked up, "Lettie."

Lettie have Howl a small, shy wave.

"Did you make a new friend Howl? I saw you talking with mum's friend Mr Luicenno," Sophie smiled, titling her head back slightly.

"I guess you could say that."

"Well I'm very happy," Sophie replied.

"Have you met the twins yet, Sophie?" Lettie asked.

"Actually no, I haven't, I've heard a lot about them. Mother is supposed to be introducing us soon."

"Oh, well here they come."

Both Howl and Sophie turned around to find a man and a woman about eighteen walking towards them. The woman had jaw line-length hair and piercing blue eyes, defined by black eyeliner. She moved with such elegance, but always seemed to have a scowl on her face. She had a clear, soft complexion that seemed to glow. Her dress was a strapless black number that showed off most of her back and ended at the ankles, where the slightest sight of red could be seen. She certainly knew how to flaunt her look, Sophie admitted.

The man by her side was very different. He was identical in the face to his twin but had jet black hair and blue eyes. His hairstyle was one of the modern ones, short at the back at sides, then spiked up the top. He had an athletic body, Sophie assumed some sort of combat. He wore a casual suit with a red and black striped shirt and a loose tie. The shirt had been unbuttoned a little to reveal more chest. He like his sister, held a scowl on his face.

The woman was the first to approach, "Hi, I'm Cecilia," She took Sophie's hand and shook it.

"I'm Sophie, nice to meet you," Sophie replied smiling.

"Oh my brother won't say anything, he's so ignorant," Cecilia said turning back to the man with his hands in his pockets looking bored. "His name is Jack and I'm sure he's happy to finally meet it."

Jack grunted; Cecilia narrowed her eyes, "Even if he'd never show it."

"Oh and you must be Sophie's boyfriend, I'm Cecilia," Cecilia held the sweetest smile as she greeted him. Howl assumed that her face naturally formed a scowl.

"I'm Howl," Howl greeted shaking her hand for the briefest instant.

"Oh my!" Cecilia gasped covering her mouth with her hands. "The wizard Howl?"

Howl nodded, "I don't eat hearts as everyone says so don't worry," Howl said almost bitterly.

Cecilia laughed, "No! No! Of course you don't! I never believed that rumour for a second Howl."

"Why not? It's pretty believable isn't it?" Howl said bitterly.

"Not if you knew the princess personally, Princess Marie-Anne I assume? I knew her since birth, she was nut-job if I do say so myself. She would be just the one to kill herself, she never took anything lightly. When we were fourteen I told her that she was heavy to lift up and she didn't eat for herself for two months. She killed herself almost three years ago didn't she? I hold nothing against you Howl," Cecilia assured. "Jack always liked her anyways."

Jack turned his head away.

"We better go; other guests we have to meet. Oh and don't worry about what Daddy says, he doesn't mean it the way he says it, I promise you."

Slowly Cecilia and Jack left and Howl and Sophie were left alone.

"I think we can leave now… I'm thinking of a stroll maybe a dinner? How does that sound?" Howl whispered in her ear.

"Howl that sounds lovely…But really we can't go; another night?" Sophie replied.

"Aw, you're no fun."

"Come on food's being served," Sophie smiled, dragging Howl over to the table where the food was being served.

"Can we leave after the food?" Howl pressed on.

"Maybe," Sophie finally gave in.

Howl seemed to be content with that, though Sophie never gave him a definite time.


It might have been midnight, Sophie couldn't tell. All she knew was that she really wanted to go home and she shouldn't have had that last glass of wine. Now she had a thumping head ache, felt nauseous and wanted to go to sleep. She couldn't tell where Howl was, probably somewhere close by. Sophie didn't know exactly where she was in the mansion's garden. She was sitting in a seat, she knew that. If she got up she was sure she would fall back down.

"Sophie?" Howl asked quietly.

"Howl?" Sophie replied, her head moving up from her hands.

"Sophie you look terrible," He said softly, rubbing his hands against her cheeks gently.

"I feel terrible, my body doesn't handle alcohol very well," Sophie said quietly.

"You didn't have much, a couple of glasses," Howl replied.

"And some of mother's Vodka, she inhales the stuff," Sophie said, "What about you?"

"I don't drink," Howl replied, "I'm taking you home now, I've already told everyone."

"Oh Howl, I don't think I will be able to get up," Sophie groaned.

"Just climb onto my back and hold on," Howl ordered lightly, bending down to the chair so she didn't have to move much.

"Howl, I don't feel like..." Before Sophie could finish, Howl had already transformed and was gliding through the air. "Howl…"

"What is it? We'll be nearing the shop soon," He assured.

Sophie smiled a little and stroked his silky feathers softly. It was a cool night and Sophie found herself drifting asleep on the back of Howl.


"Oh, Howl you're back," Calcifer said relieved as Howl walked in with Sophie in his arms. "Wow… She doesn't look too good."

"I know," Howl replied laying the slumbering Sophie onto the lounge. "She drank a little bit too much."

"Oh, did you have a good time?"

"Actually," Howl said, sitting in the wooden chair opposite Calcifer, "I had quite an enjoyable time… Well until the drinks came out."

"And Sophie's step-father? How is he?"

"Not the nicest man Cal," Howl replied.

"Oh I see, so he won't be coming along to Christmas dinner?" Calcifer asked, setting his wood logs up for the night.

"No I don't think so," Howl smiled a little.

"Uh, Howl…" Sophie groaned from the lounge.

"What? What is it?" Howl asked, getting up from his chair and kneeling down at Sophie.

"I don't feel very well Howl," Sophie groaned, her eyes opening a little.

"Err Howl, I think she's gunna, you know… Hurl," Calcifer said.

"I know;" Howl said calmly, "Sit up, Sophie."

Sophie slowly sat up and Howl slid in behind her. Slowly she laid back onto him and found his chest to be very comfortable.

"Are you going to be sick, Sophie?" He whispered gently in her ear, catching the Tupperware bowl that he had summoned from the kitchen and placing in on her lap.

"No, I think I'll be alright," Sophie breathed, closing her eyes, "I just want to go to sleep…"

"Goodnight," Howl whispered, kissing her on the cheek.

"Good…Nigh..." Sophie replied as her eyelids dropped.

"I love you," He whispered.

"I love… you…too…" Sophie mumbled out, before she sighed heavily and slowly drifted into unconsciousness.

Nothing was spoken for quite a while. Howl watched over a peacefully sleeping Sophie as Calcifer consumed logs. Finally Calcifer broke the silence.

"You know Howl, I've been thinking."

Howl's cerulean eyes turned to his friends in interest. "Have you?"

"Yes, and I think…" Calcifer trailed off.

"Well?" Howl pressed on.

Calcifer looked at the woman curled up on Howl's lap and sighed. "I've been thinking… I was thinking… Maybe, just maybe, Howl… You might be able to pull this off…"

Howl turned back to Sophie and ran his fingers through her starlight fringe. "I know…" He chimed contently.


12 whole pages, what a chapter, Hope you all liked it. It certainly took me ages to write. Your reviews are all appreciated. Except for those who verbally abuse me to update. I don't like those.

Thanks too….

Ducklin –So glad you like my stories, please keep reading and reviewing! Ps. I like it how u sign ur name at the bottom with the little … It makes me smiley.

Animelover621- WAIT NO MORE!!

Animelover0001- Lol, don't we all. Tis why we write, tis why we read. Keep reading and reviewing :D.

abelXesther4ever: Lol, that's a good idea, I'm like Omg... That's an idea. But no, Michael isn't Howl's father. Thanks for reading and reviewing, plz continue!

Please review and keep looking out for updates.