Finally what we all have been waiting for: Howl's return! Yaaay!

Fifth Chapter

"I'm too thick to see the color of your tears

You're not as strong as you think

And even though I hold you, I'm not any different

Telling terrible lies and moping around

Dreaming fruitless dreams

Being careless with life...

I know our tomorrow is neither a beginning nor an ending

So long as you and me are both there

I'm too thick to see the color of your tears

Yes...that's why I check your hand over and over

Let's choose a moonless night and quietly share our secrets

If you doubt me, you don't have to say a word

I'll take the crooked half

Of the red apple we split

That's how we generally get along

I know our tomorrow is neither dark nor light

It's just you and me there

The color of our hearts is always blurring and growing hazy

Yes...that why I check with words over and over

What we gained wasn't freedom

Just an imitation of freedom

I don't remember everything I've lost

I know our tomorrow is neither a beginning nor an ending

So long as you and me are both there

I'm too thick to see the color of your tears

Yes...that's why I check your hand over and over..."

The house, or it more likely reminded a mansion, was almost exactly what Watanuki had expected: It was big, empty and creepy. But it was dustier and dirtier than he had thought, though.
Somebody should do a massive cleaning to this place... he mused to himself as he walked through the empty corridor to join Yûko-san and Sophie.

"Watanuki, would you please hurry! We are in a quite rush here!" Yûko called him as he sauntered towards them.

"Don't you 'please hurry' me, you're the one who keeps those long speeches about hearts and stuff! If we're gonna be late, don't you blame it on me!" he whined to his employer but quickened his pace nevertheless.

"Yûko-san, so where should we go next? Howl's right here, in this house? Isn't he?" Sophie asked as she studied the lobby of the deserted looking mansion carefully.

"You knew that already, and you also know the answer concerning the current location of Howl;" Yûko replied smiling almost gently.

Sophie looked at her, feeling puzzled and nervous. She did not have time for playing games, she needed to find Howl!
"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean..." she stammered.

"You do know. Or should I say that your heart knows. It's calling for Howl all the time, isn't it?" Yûko answered as Sophie studied her face.

First Sophie was taken aback because of Yûko's answer, but then she slowly and unsurely nodded.
I do know the answer... In my heart.
"Yes..." she replied softly.

"Good then. We'll be waiting right here with Watanuki. When the time comes, you do know what to do," Yûko replied before Sophie could say anything against her.

Sophie looked at her, and then nodded once again. She wasn't so sure if she would know what to do.
But if the witch thought so, maybe things would end up fine.

"Just remember one thing: you take the responsibility of what you say or do and how they affect on the others. That is why only you can find Howl right now and that is also why you must find him," Yûko explained sternly.

"You are right, I know it. Thank you so much for your help!" Sophie thanked, but Yûko only laughed and said: "Oh, we'll meet again, don't act like this would be the end. I'll be waiting with Watanuki. And you still haven't paid the price, have you?" she teased and Sophie blushed.

"Oh yes, you're right... Well, I'm off then," Sophie mumbled as she turned to leave.

"Do your best! And good luck!" Yûko called after her cheerfully, which made Sophie feel weird.
Just like she was going participate some sort of a strange game or something...
Honestly, that witch was probably the weirdest person she had ever met.
And that was quite lot to say, considering the people Sophie Hatter knew.

Sophie walked through the empty halls, corridors and dining rooms. There were only little furniture to be seen, especially because everything was covered with white bed sheets and thick dust. The whole place looked so empty and abandoned, as if there hadn't been anybody for a long time...Since it was Howl's heart after all, Sophie wondered if the condition of the place had something to do with her and her terrible words. It made her feel a sharp twitch of guilt in her heart.

Her goal was shining clearly in her mind, but it still wasn't enough to assure her. She hoped desperately that this was the right time to trust her instincts and that she would make the right choices.
She had no time to lose or falter, she simply knew that.

She also had to admit that she was a bit afraid to see Howl after saying all those terrible things...
But she had no intention to lose Howl just because of her own silliness. Where ever she had to go, what ever she would have to do, she would do it.
Howl was worth it all.

That is why she didn't slow her pace until she found the door that she knew that was the right one. She could almost feel it in the air, Howl's heart reaching for hers...
And once she reached the door, she stopped walking and firmly pulled it open.

As she had suspected, it really was the door of the basement, the stairs leading deep down and the strong smell of the soil were enough to prove that. Without hesitaiting, Sophie stepped on the first step and started to walk rapidly.

The stairs seemed to last for an eternity and Sophie could her hear the beating of her own heart getting louder and louder in her ears. She intentionally didn't pay any attention to it but concentrated on following the strange blue light that seemed to come from the bottom. The amount of the light increased a bit by bit and finally, she reached the last step.
And as she reached the bottom, she noticed that she had come to a room which actually reminded her more of a cave than a room because of its bare soil ground and the sharp, rocky walls.
There she found what she had been looking for.

Howl.

Her heart almost stopped beating as she saw him.

"Howl!" She called out as she ran towards him.

Howl was unconcious, but he was standing because he was stuck in something that looked like ice... No, it was as cool as ice, but it was much harder. It had to be some sort of a crystal.
It seemed that the crystal itself was emitting the blue light, which was the only resource of light in the darkness.

Seeing Howl like that, peaceful, but somehow tortured look on his beautiful face, made Sophie feel more guilty than ever.
It's all my fault that he is in a condition like this..
And then she touched gently Howl's cheek as one lonely tear rolled down her cheek.

"Howl, I am so, so sorry. I never meant those things what I said. I love you. Even if you probably hate me right now, I do love you. I won't let go of you, so please, don't you let go either. Our love is far from simple, but don't you think it's worth fighting for? I think it is. So please come back to me, try to forgive me. Teach me how to be more patient... Just don't let go..." The words came from Sophie's mouth without thinking, they just flowed right from her heart into Howl's heart, or that was what she hoped for.

Those words were the most delicate, powerful ones Sophie had or would ever say, she realized it the moment she started to speak. They might seem pathetic, even corny to someone else, but Sophie was sure they would reach Howl and help her get him back.

"Please Howl, you're so precious to me..." Sophie mumbled and kissed his lips.

That was the last thing she remembered doing before she felt the crystal-like thing surrouding Howl getting burning hot. She felt incredible, burning pain coming right from the crystal.
But she didn't let go of Howl.
Soon, the pain made her faint and she drifted into a dreamless sleep.

-A/N: Finally back! I know, I should have updated earlier, but it simply slipped from my mind... I'm so sorry! Next time, I promise to be quicker, because this fic will only have one or two chapters to come (two if I'm in th mood and you review enough...)
I know the ending was kinda fluffy, but I thought I would give you some fluff since you have waited for Howl's return so patiently. And there wil be more fluff coming, I promise!
This time the song lyrics were from Suga Shikao's Asymmetry (an amazing song from amazing artist, I simply adore him!).
And then I would like to thank those who have read and reviewed, you really make my day! Help me to make this a better story in the future too, okay?
And the biggest thanks goes to my beloved beta-reader Kiseki Gurl, she's such an inspiring, amazing person!