Explosion of Passion

{ For all of you Studio Ghibli fans out there, this is for you! I hope you like it!

I do not own this no matter how much I wish I did }

There is a castle.... A very special castle.

On the outside it looks like whatever the owner wishes it to look like. One minute it's a house on the ocean, the next it's a clanging heap of metal trotting through the Waste Lands.

Inside however, it looks the same, decent sized, slightly cluttered, but it just feels like home. The fire in the middle of the room kept the castle together, kept it (and all those who occupy it) going, so to speak.

Standing in the kitchen is a pretty woman with flowing, cropped silver hair, tending to the neglected dishes. She was young and beautiful, for it was her love for the master of the castle that kept her from being an old lady (due to a curse bestowed upon her).

A young boy ran into the room and tugged on the skirt of the ladies dress. "Sophie!! Is master Howl home yet?! He promised to read me a story before bed!"

Sophie glanced tiredly at the door, who's portal had not yet changed from blue to red. She sighed. 'Late again' she thought.

This was the third night this week, and it was only Wednesday. She looked down at the eager boy and said as gently as she could, "I'm sorry Markl, but Howl isn't home yet."

At these words the young boys eyes got shiny with tears. Sophie had to look away for hers did too. She turned back to her chore, and cleared her throat. "Why don't you get ready for bed..? I'll send Howl up when he's home, alright..?"

Markl beamed at these words and he hugged Sophie around the middle. "THANK YOU SOPHIE!!!"

Sophie put a tender hand on Markls head "you're welcome".

Markl then ran upstairs to get ready for bed. The fire on the hearth shouted "Don't use too much hot water!! It's a real pain to heat it up!!"

Sophie smiled to herself as she rinsed Markls favorite water goblet. She stole a glance to the door again and sighed again as she saw that it was still on blue.

"I'm sure he's fine Sophie" the fire called.

Sophie scrubbed at a sticky spot on a plate. "Oh I'm sure he is" she thought bitterly.... 'Flirting off with every girl in every city.' The attitude of her thoughts changed, 'I guess I shouldn't feel jealous... I mean, look at me' she catches her beautiful reflection in a plate she's drying. 'I've never once been beautiful in my whole life, I'm stupid to ever think he'd love me back'.

With this thought, the portal on the door switched to red and there was the sound of boots on the stairs. Sophie tensed and gripped the plate tightly in her hands.

The wizard came into the living area and warmed his hands up by the fire. "Good Calsifer" the deep, sexy voice said to the fire. 'Even the fire gets more attention then me' Sophie thought.

The master, as if he heard the young ladies thought, smirked, walked over and wrapped one hand around her waist and kissed the back of her neck. Sophie's eyes widened and tensed, though she didn't say anything. "Hello there" he purred.

"Hello" she responded briskly. "You're late again Howl". To avoid her comment, he gently took her dish and dish rag and took her place at the sink and said

"I rinse, you dry?" She pursed her lips and nodded once, grabbing the dish cloth and the now clean dish Howl handed to her.

"Markl is waiting for you upstairs."