8D Yayness! (My random comment for the day…)

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It was getting dark already, even though to Sophie, it felt like just fifteen minutes – when in fact it had been over three hours. She could hear nothing from outside of her room, not even Howl's constant complaining or the door bell.

Why doesn't he want a baby? She asked herself. I thought he'd be happy to have a child take after him… or is it that he wants a beautiful child? One that doesn't look like me? Would he want a child if I were more beautiful…?

"Sophie? Are you okay?" Howl's voice swam through the door. "Can I come in, please?" he requested.

She sighed. Sophie didn't want him to come in, still slightly upset about earlier. I can't blame him… it's not his fault I'm not attractive… she concluded, before allowing him in. she wouldn't face him, though, she just stared out of the window.

"Sophie… I'm really sorry if I upset you earlier. I guess I'm just not ready to be a father," he explained, hoping the sympathy act would get her back on his side. Howl stepped closer to her and laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. He felt Sophie shiver again but she did not move away.

"Howl… it's not that I'm intending to have a child soon; I just thought that it could happen by accident and what could we do about it?"

"Oh, that's easy!" Howl grinned. "I know a great spell to get rid of babies-!"

"Howl!" Sophie screamed, swatting his hand away and staring at him in disgust. Howl looked incredibly confused; he'd thought that's what she wanted. "You monster! I never thought that even you could be so heartless!"

A sharp slap struck Howl across the face as she stormed out of the room, leaving Howl to check for blood again before finally chasing after her. Why was it that he could never get through to her?

Sophie was rushing so much that she couldn't turn the dial for the door normally. Tears blurred her vision and her strength seemed to disappear, making it harder to grip. She finally managed to turn it to the colour red and opening the door.

"Sophie! Wait! I didn't mean what I said! It just sort of came out wrong!!" he called, chasing her out into the garden. Luckily she wasn't very fast so he caught up to her quickly. "Sophie!" he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her towards him.

She struggled to get free, hitting his chest as hard as she could but was weak compared to him. "Get you hands off of me! You fiend!"

"I'm not letting go until you listen to me!" He kept a tight hold of her. It seemed like ages before she finally gave up and huffed at him. "That's better," he smiled.

She turned her head away from him, still angry.

"I'm sorry… I thought you meant you don't want to have a baby unprepared so I thought… well, you know, I'd get rid of it for you. I would never do it if you don't want me to."

"But you will if you want? Howl, having a baby is supposed to be a blessing. Getting rid of it would just be murderous!"

Howl bowed his head, realising what she meant. Reluctantly, he released Sophie and dropped his arms to his side. "I didn't mean it, Sophie. It's like everything I say to you comes out wrong. I never meant to hurt you. I just want you to be happy so… if there's anything you want, just tell me."

Sophie finally looked up at him. He wasn't just saying it, this time he actually meant it. But doesn't Howl think she has everything she wants already? A wonderful home, a nice family, and a handsome and gentle lover who can give her anything she wants using his magic… That's it. "Magic…" she breathed.

"What?"

"I want you to teach me magic! I want to know how to do it!"

Howl stared at her for a while. Magic? What would she use it for? Why can't she just ask him for whatever it was she wanted? "What the hell are you going to use it for?"

Sophie sighed in a disappointed way. "I knew you'd never let me use magic-"

"No! O-of course I would! But what's the need? You could just ask me! Like I said-!"

"Well, you're not always around, are you?" she said. "You never used your magic to help me with the cleaning. All you care about is yourself! I wish you'd just be a little bit more considerate!" she turned away sharply and marched over to the lake where she sat down.

Howl could hear her hiccups loud and clear. He was about to walk over to comfort her when he heard her mutter. "Just leave me alone…!"

He felt his heart sink. She doesn't want him anymore. She doesn't even need him anymore. Howl had never felt so worthless and unwanted before. He decided: if he was just going to be a burden to her, he might as well stay out of her way. So he returned to the castle without saying another word to her.

Sophie heard the door click closed. She turned towards it to see that Howl had left. What've I done? How could I have been so horrible to him? I know it's not his fault… She cried harder into her hands, probably longer than she had in her room.

As Howl shut the door behind him, his entire body went limp and he fell back to back with it, now sitting on the floor. Markl leant over the banister and peered at him, looking slightly worried. "Sophie's not leaving you, is she? She still loves you, right?"

He didn't reply. The little boy didn't realise how his words stabbed him so painfully in the heart. Instead, Howl just concentrated on holding back his tears. Sophie didn't love him anymore – did she ever?

"Um, Markl," said Calcifer. "I think master Howl wants to be alone right now. Why not pass me another piece of wood?" he offered, stuffing his current one in his mouth before he could object.

Markl took one more quick glance at Howl and sighed before eventually running over to the pile of logs. He handed it to Calcifer who grabbed it hungrily before sucking on the bit of wood. Markl smiled at him until he saw the small flame's joyous face drop, stunned, causing the wood to fall out of his mouth. The boy quickly turned around to see several shadows creeping up onto the walls, swerving slowly and eerily around the furniture. Markl hated it when Howl did this – it reminded him of all the things he used to fear; some he still does.

"Master Howl!" Calcifer cried. "Master Howl, get a hold of yourself! She's just a girl!"

"Just a girl?" the wizard hissed from the bottom of the stairs. It scared both Markl and Calcifer. The deep, deadly voice seeping along with the dark shadows that had now fully overtaken the room. "She's not 'just a girl'… she's my girl…" he knew that what he was saying was selfish, but that's what he wants. He wanted Sophie to be his. His girl.

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I apologise, I'll try to update sooner next chapter. I thought I'd get more to the point in the next chapter, so please bare with me! And I know, I suck for making you wait!!

Please review…