Howl strolled along the busy streets of the day with a top hat covering his black hair. His green and gold earrings glittered in the sun's steady rays, along with his mahogony cane with the golden orb he used as the grip. His steady gait continued its usual route about the town, until he heard a shriek. His eyes widened with childish delight as he sped off in the direction of the wail.

When he got there, Howl was expecting to see a man trying to steal a purse from a little old lady, maybe even a little girl who dropped her ice cream. He was terribley wrong. Instead, it was a teenager of about seventeen being sexually harassed by an older man who looked no younger then thirty-four. She glanced over at Howl for a fraction of a second and the man took full advantage of her by bringing her down to the cement ground. Howl frowned at this and lightly walked to the two.

"Excuse me sir but I believe that young woman does not wish to be treated in such a way. If you please, take your leave." Howl stretched his arm to the exit of the deep alley they had stood in.

"Keh...who the hell do you think you are tellin' me what to do?" Howl's nose scrunched and his frown grew deeper. This man was drunk, he could tell, by the way he stumbled on the gravel and the smell of his breath when he stammered over to him. When the drunk hiccupped was the same time Howl smiled to bare his fangs to the world. The glistening, white fangs lay still and strong in Howl's mouth while he let out a hiss of challenge. The man's eyes went wide as he gasped in terror.

"Sorry sir. I didn't know the trollop was yours." He lifted the brown haired girl up by her elbow only to toss her to the ground again by Howl's shining black shoes. The drunkard ran away with unsteadiness while bumping into numerous objects. Howl chuckled playfully and withdrew his fangs. He looked down at the girl, who still had unborn tears in her deep brown eyes.

"Are you okay?" Howl took off his hat and knelt down by her only to see her flinch. "It's alright. I'm not going to hurt you, I promise." The girl looked at his extended hand before shaking it.

"Yes," Came her British accent. "I'm alright. Thank you, by the way, Mister um..."

"Howl. And who might you be?" The girl's eyes quivered from left to right, as if looking for something or someone before answering.

"M-my name is Sophie, Mr. Howl, and I'm forever in your debt for saving me from that wretched man." Howl held up his left hand allowing the rubies and emeralds in his rings shine with the sun.

"No need for thanks. I'm glad I could help you Sophie. But in case you're ever in need of my service again," Howl slipped off a ruby ring and slid it onto Sophie's right ring finger. "Just think of what happened today. Think of me, okay?" Sophie stared at the ring in marvel, only to look back up at Howl in embarrassment while nodding. "It's okay. It's a big and shiny rock. Who doesn't wanna stare at them, am I right?"

Sophie smiled at Howl with a small blush staining her cheeks. "Well there must be someway I can offer my thanks to you can't there? I'm sure you're in need of a cleaning lady, cooking, anything?" He looked up at the towering clouds above and thought of anything he needed.

"I suppose I'm in need of something, but I don't think you'd be ready for it."

"If it's cleaning bathrooms I'm more then ready for that." She offered to him. He just chuckeld with slight amusement.

"No, not that. I need a mistress, a lover if you will." Sophie's blush stain transformed into a full cherry color throughout her face.

"My, yes you're definately right about that. Sir, I'm no where near ready to be bedded. No offense to you but you're a complete stranger to me as I am to you." Howl smiled gentley at her.

"Well let's not be strangers anymore then." He held her hand and stood up with her. "Do you see that castle out there in the distance? That's my home and I would be more then happy if you came to visit me every now and then." He pointed to a massive greyish black castle that lie between a crowd of mountains. Sophie's eyes were fixed on the giant Howl got to call his home.

"You live there? All by yourself?"

"Yup."

"No servants? Friends? Family?"

"Nope. Just me. It's really not all that bad. Besides, it's great for parties." Sophie laughed.

"Yes I would imagine it would be."

"How about you? Where do you live?" He looked back at her with an innocent smile painted on his lips. Sophie's eyes widened when she felt her breath caught in her throat. "Sophie, you do have a home, don't you?" He asked with concern.

"Of course I have a home. It's just not mine." He tilted his head at the statement. "I live in the hat shop. That's where I make my living, eat my dinner, get my rest, everything."

"That's terrible." She smiled with depression faintly blanketing her.

"No, not really. I make out just fine. Normal life, that is, if you're me." Howl's eyes were concerned. This girl, she has no hope whatsoever. She has never had the slightest bit of hope in her life before. I need to help her.

"Sophie, why don't you live with me in my castle?"

"Oh no. I could never. It's out of the question."

"No I insist. You said there had to be some way you could thank me, well here's a way! Right here and it's yours for the taking!" She held a hesitant expression for a second before coming up with another truthful excuse.

"And what do you propose I do if my master doesn't allow this?" This caught Howl off guard, he hadn't expected her to be a slave in the first place. "It's not that I don't want to, but one thing is certain I'm not fond of lashes yet I get paid for what I do." He shook his head and laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Tell you what, you talk with your master and if the answer's still no you let me know. I'll have a little talk with him."

"Her." He nodded politely, not really caring if he had spoken the incorrect gender.

"Right. You let me know how everything goes. But before you leave," Something thin and shimmering a silver color was in Howl's hand when he pulled it out of his breast pocket. "Wear this as a form of protection should the ring not work. Which I highly doubt." He smiled as he put the necklace over Sophie's head and onto her neck.

"Yes, thank you. I better be on my way now. Goodbye Howl." She ran out of the alley with an eager air surrounding her.

"Goodbye Sophie." He turned around and put his black top hat back on. "We'll be meeting again shortly." He grinned wickedly as a hiss came out. "Very...shortly." As his steps faded away Howl began to disappear. Instead of disappearing altogether, he turned into a light blue mist. His voice echoed through the alley and most likely through a small portion of the town. "You will be mine, Sophie. I'll make sure of it."

As Sophie continued to run she thought about the mysterious man that went by such a captivating name. Howl. She thought to herself. I'm such a fool, how could I have actually been enthralled by him? I'm only seventeen and he seems to be no older then twenty-three. I hope he's alright for one reason or another. She fingered the charm on her new necklace. It was a silver wolf baring its fangs in a red circle.

She smiled at it, as it reminded her of Howl. The symbol looked familiar but she couldn't really put her finger on it. She would have to ask her master when she got home. Sophie walked through the open door and called out to her master. "Maria? Are you here?" Then a crash was heard followed by the shattering of glass.

"Aw damn it! I give up! Hold on Sophie I'll be right there." Stomping high heels shuffled around the house in search of something. Sophie climbed up the stairs and bobbed her head back and forth, searching for Maria. She finally caught sight of the blonde hair in the kitchen and trotted to her.

"Maria what's the matter? Did you break another vase?" Maria laughed mockingly to herself.

"Not this time. Damn I'm such a klutz. I broke that stained glass window this time. You wouldn't of seen the broom around here by any chance now would you?" Sophie nodded.

"Yes I'll get it. Let me clean up the mess. That's why you hired me, remember?" Maria scoffed and let out a small "whatever" as Sophie ventured off to get the broom. Once she found it she cleaned up the broken glass and disposed of it properly. But she wanted to figure out what the wolf on her necklace meant. "Maria, do you know what this stands for?" Sophie gestured to the charm only to pick it up and show it to Maria in a closer view.

On closer inspection, Maria gasped and clutched the wooden cross that lay around her neck. "Sophie what the hell are you wearing that for?! Don't you know what it means?"

"No why do you think I'm asking you?" With a sigh, Maria reluctantly told Sophie the meaning of the evil wolf.

"It's a symbol of...evil. I'm not going to tell you what kind since you'd think I've lost my frigin mind but you really shouldn't be wearing it." Sophie looked hurt.

"Hm. I guess you're right then. I'll go put it away." Sophie walked to her room and looked at her reflection in the mirror. The necklace was stunning on her, but if it meant evil then maybe she shouldn't wear it. It wasn't a dreadful decision, wear it or not, keep it or not, it was the decision if she should trust Howl or not. "No, I'll keep it. Maria's a bit paranoid anyhow. Howl probably didn't even know what this means."

She tucked it under her shirt so Maria would feel more comfortable. "I'll ask Howl what it means if I run into him anytime soon." She gasped. "I forgot! I'm suppose to talk to Maria! Maria!" She called out her name louder and louder. "Maria! I need to talk to you! It's essential news!" Maria came dashing out of the basement and up the stairs in an instant.

"What...what's wrong?" She asked trying to catch her breath.

"I met this man in the market today. He wants me to live with him and he said I need to talk to you about it." Maria looked like she was scared and actually gasped.

"Was he cute?" Sophie blushed and looked away.

"Not the point." Maria squealed with excitment.

"Oh my gosh! You just met the man and you seem as though you're already head over heels for him. He sounds the same about you too." Maria tickled Sophie's side while laughing. "Sure, I don't see why you can't 'live' with him for a while. When will you be back?" She used air quotes for live, thinking it was just a little sleep over or whatever.

"Maria he wants me to actually live with him. I can never come back if I do." Maria's face was a little hurt, as though it was a painful decision.

"Sophie, this really is a great oppertunity for you. You're not a slave, you're my maid, but who am I to hold you back? It's your decision to make and I won't bully you or anything like that."

"But he told me it's up to you. Honestly, I think he believes I'm a slave. I can't make a choice. Please Maria could you perhaps make the choice for me?"

Maria sighed and held her forehead. "What do you want Soph? I'll let you pretend that I made your decision. Will that make you feel better?" Sophie looked at her feet. She was stuck, this was true, but not about the moving matters. It was what Maria had said earlier, about her being head over heels for Howl. "First, who is this guy? What's his name and where does he intend on taking you?"

"Oh well, he didn't give me his name." She lied. "But he wants to bring me to his castle in the mountains." Maria gasped.

"Sophie are you even remotely aware of what they use to do to people a few decades ago? Teenagers fifteen to eighteen would be offered as sacrifices to vampires. So much death, so tragic. Of course only the head vampire lived in the castle. He'd invite people to dine with him or simply give the teens to them. Damn filth, just thinking about it disgusts me. Thank goodness vampires have been killed off."

Sophie gulped a bit but hid her fear. "I'm sorry Sophie. I can't allow you to go there. Any other place I don't see any harm, not there though. That foul castle." She nodded at Maria.

"It's alright.I'll just tell him the answer's no."

NoTe: Hope you guys liked this. It was just a quick idea but I loved the thought of Howl being a vampire. I know not really the most original idea but oh well. Reviews are totally welcome and not to sound mean but no reviews means no updates if you liked it.