Hey everyone! LoneMouse here! This is my second fanfic and I really hope you like it! And remember, please review! And if you have any constructive criticism, I would appreciate it if you shared it with me so I can fix whatever I'm doing wrong :)

Chapter One: Hide and Seek

"...8, 9, 10!" I open my eyes and see the empty field in front of me. "Ready or not, here I come!" I look around and see none of my friends in sight. They must have found really good hiding spots! I tell myself as I start searching for them.

I decide to find Borin first, and I spot a tree a couple yards away. I run towards it, and slow down as I approach. I grab the trunk and slowly peek to the other side of the trunk. "IIIIII found you!" I exclaim as I jump out from behind the tree. "Hm? Well, I guess I'm looking in the wrong place..." I wonder aloud as I walk away from the tree.

This place is so empty! Where would they be able to hide? I sigh and look up at the sky. The field I'm in is so empty, and there are no towns around.

I wasn't really paying attention when we were following Borin out here, so I don't know where I am, and how to get back home...

I continue my search for my friends. I look behind bushes, rocks, trees, and in trees and bushes. I spot a hill ahead, and jog towards it. I go to the top and see a cliff leading down to a long narrow river. I quickly turn and run back down the hill.

"Where is everybody?" I yell in frustration after a long time of seeking. "You guys got me, now let's start over! I don't wanna be seeker anymore!" I look around and see that nobody is responding.

I sit down on a nearby rock and put my head in my hands. "What am I going to do?" I stand up and run towards the place where I started. I keep going forward and soon I see a little town appear ahead of me.

I know it's definitely not my hometown, Wedgemore. It is way too small. Wedgemore is a big town, and is always bustling with activity. There are women who are always out on the streets doing errands, and men at work, and children playing with each other or their dogs.

I sigh and turn around. Where are Ulric and Borin? I decide not to give up and I search for them some more.

After about half an hour, I give up and start crying. I just want to go home into my mother's comforting arms. I want her to give me some warm milk and read me a bedtime story before I fall asleep.

I want Master Althalos to teach me some more magic and spells. I want to continue my wizard training, but if I never find my way back home, that will never happen...

"Markl, I love you with all my heart, and I always will. I will always be there for you." She said sometimes after a bad day.

"I love you, Mom," I whisper to myself as my tears start easing up. I notice that it's getting darker outside, and that I'm lost. I had lost where I started, and now I'm never going to get back home.

What did I do that was so bad that made this happen to me? I'm only 9! I think as the tears start coming to my eyes again. "I've gotta be a man. Don't cry again," I calm myself down and notice that it's getting dark outside. How am I going to get home now...? It's getting really dark and I'm getting scared!

I walk up to the hill and let my legs dangle off the edge of the cliff. I think I'm in the Wastes... This not good! The idea pops into my head, and I get really angry.

The blood rushes to my face as I stand up and walk to a tree and kick it as hard as I can. "OW! That was really stupid of me!" I scold myself as I grab my foot and jump up and down. "I'm not going to give up!"

I walk around some more, looking for Wedgemore, my beloved home. Sadly, I have no luck, and I just come to the conclusion that I'm not going back home, unless Borin or Ulric find me in this vast area.

I hear something in the bushes and turn around. There is a branch that is moving, and it seems that there is something in the bush.

"Borin? Ulric?" I ask hopefully, but there is no answer. I walk over to the bush and grab the stick, attempting to pull it out. I keep pulling, and finally, it comes out.

I gasp and my jaw drops as the stick I pulled out stands on its own, revealing a scarecrow dressed in a black suit. He has the head of a turnip and a top hat. His smile is big and he shows his straight white teeth, with a brown pipe sticking out of them.

I cock my head as I examine it and wonder how it's standing by itself. "Maybe it's an alive scarecrow!" I think aloud and my face beams as the scarecrow hops in front me. "Oh my God, it is alive!"

The scarecrow hops away, leaving me awestruck. An idea pops into my head, and I chase after the scarecrow. "Wait! Mr. Scarecrow, I have a favor to ask of you," The scarecrow stops and turns around to face me. "Do you know where Wedgemore is? I'm lost, and I really want to get home to my family..." I look down at my brown shoes and play with my fingers.

I hear the scarecrow hop away and I look up to see the scarecrow disappearing into the distance. "Thanks a lot!" I yell after him, close to tears, and I stick my tongue out at him. "After all that hard work I did to get you out of that stupid bush!" I sniffle and take a deep breath, sitting down on a rock nearby.

It has been about 15 minutes, and I'm still sitting on the rock, thinking about nothing. I get really tired, and without noticing, I fall asleep...

HOWL POV

I fly through the group of Suliman's accomplices, killing most of them. Unluckily, one of them scratches my wing, and I howl in pain as the blood starts dripping out.

"Curse whoever started this stupid war," I mutter to myself, and I fly up into the air, opening a portal and closing it before the creatures can follow me.

I soar through the black area, the fire below me. I reach my destination and enter my "castle," you could call it.

"Howl, how did it go this time?" I hear Calcifer ask me from the hearth.

"It was better than last time. It's only my second time fighting in this war, and I'm not doing as bad as I thought I would do." I reply to the fire demon.

I sit down on the chair in front of the fire and transform back to my human form. My blond, silky hair falls all over my face as the last of my feathers fade away. I sigh and put my head back, closing my eyes.

"Calcifer, move the castle 30 miles to the South please." I ask Calcifer as I stand up and head upstairs to my room.

"Fine," I hear Calcifer mutter in his hearth as I close my door.

"Oh, and make hot water for my bath," I walk to the steps and ask him.

"Fine," He repeats and I walk into the bathroom.

I turn the knobs to the bath and the water comes pouring out. After the tub is filled, I undress myself and let myself sink into the soothing water. I take a deep breath and close my eyes, letting my head fall back.

I finish bathing and put a towel around my waste as I apply my hair products to keep it blond and smooth.

I put on my clothes and go downstairs. The castle has now stopped and I walk towards the door. "Are you going out...? Again?" Calcifer asks me as I reach the door.

I ignore him and turn the dial to green. I step outside into the Wastes and welcome the scent of nature into my nostrils. Calcifer has parked the castle on a hill next to a cliff.

I slip my hands into the pockets of my black pants and start walking down the hill. I scan the empty area and spot something lying on the ground by a rock. I narrow my eyes as I get closer to the figure. I can finally make out the small figure as a little boy sleeping.

He looks about 9 or 10 years old, and he has reddish brownish hair. He is wearing a green vest and a white long sleeved undershirt underneath. There is a red bow around the collar of his shirt. On his waist is a black belt, and his legs are covered with red leggings and green shorts on top of them. The little boy's brown shoes look worn out, and his eyes are a little puffy. I notice that there are dried tears on his cheeks, and I look at him sympathetically, wondering what this poor child's story is.

Without realizing what I am doing, I step closer and bend down to pick him up. I go back to my house and open the door.

I walk up the steps and set the boy on the chair in front of Cal. "Um, Howl, who is this kid and why is he here?"

"Shhh," I look at Calcifer with my sparkling blue eyes, and put a finger to my lips. "I found him outside sleeping near a rock. I had to bring him back. I'm just that kind." I explain quietly and give Calcifer my sweetest grin.

Sooo, that was the first chapter and the second one will be coming up shortly! Please review! ;)