A/N So I am not quite sure how to do these Author Notes—if anyone has a chance, could they explain? Please?—but this is my first story on Fanfiction, so please bear with me if I mess everything up! Reviews are greatly appreciated—especially the very bad criticizing ones! I am on this website to improve my writing!

Chapter 1: The Calm Before the Storm

Sophie had never felt so peaceful before. She was pressed up against Howl's chest; they were lying on the sofa that Howl had added to their flying castle in front of the fire. Sophie glanced up at Howl, his beautiful blue eyes staring down at her with love and affection. She made a small noise of contentment.

"Sophie? Sophie! Where are you? You have to come take a look at this!" And thus, the peaceful silence was broken as Markl yelled for Sophie. "Sophie!" came the next shout, with an emphasis on the ie part, as the name ended in a whine.

Sophie sighed as she swung her legs off the edge of the couch and Howl groaned. "Can't we just ignore him or something? Maybe he'll go away…" Howl suggested.

Sophie just shook her head. "You know we can't do that," she said. "If we do, he'll just get louder and louder until he finally comes to drag us away to see whatever he wants us to see."

As it turned out, what Markl had wanted to show her was, in fact, a doghouse he had made for Heen. "And I made it completely by myself, with no help at all!" Markl repeated for what must have been the hundredth time.

Sophie smiled to herself. Markl was a sweet boy, and he so obviously wanted to be praised. "I know, this is amazing Markl!"

The doghouse, actually was amazing. Markl had placed it outside in the garden. He had crafted it so delicately, it looked as if it had been done by a professional woodworker. Markl looked up at Howl, hope shining in his eyes. "What do you think Master Howl?"

When Howl hesitated, Sophie jabbed him in the gut with her elbow. "It's great, Markl. This is good," he muttered quickly, a slight trace of pain laced through his voice from Sophie's jab. He started towards the front door. "Sorry guys, I've got to go. There's some business I need to attend to."

Sophie was startled. "Where are you going?" she asked, and felt a little hurt that he wanted to leave just like that, but she shook it off.

"Just some things that need attending," he answered vaguely. Sophie opened her mouth to demand a more descriptive answer, but Howl was out the door before she got the chance.

I wonder where he's going. Sophie thought with a small twinge of suspicion, maybe he was back to his old ways of hunting down pretty girls…but she immediately crushed down on that thought. No, Howl loved her, and would not be unfaithful to her. It was then when Sophie happened to glance at the clock, and, to her dismay, see that it was already one o'clock.

"Oh!" Sophie cried, suddenly remembering. "I was supposed to meet Lettie for lunch half an hour ago!"