Disclaimer: Dudes, I know I don't own Howl's Moving Castle soo yeah! But too bad huh? That would be sooo awesome if I did 'cause that means I'd be chillin' with Miyazaki-san and that would be so kick fox! Yo! But umm, yeah, but that means all of ya'll couldn't hang with him...

Howl: My dear fox, why are you trying to claim what is rightfully mine?

Cherry Blossom Fox: BECAUSE I LOVE YOU HOWL!

jumps on howl, strangling him accidentally

Cherry Blossom Fox: OHHH i'm sorry howl. I love you!

Howl: can't...breath...

Cherry Blossom Fox: ok then, i guess on to the story we go... hope you guys like it! sorry it's sooo short, but it is only the first chapter and i am nervous it will suck sooooo...yeah! ENJOY!

Chapter 1- Heen's Report

As the sun started to set behind the multiple towers surrounding the kingdom's prized atrium, an older woman sits among the plants that she had worked so hard on to grow. A sly smile played upon her graceful lips as she thought that this wasn't exactly true. She had made her young blonde servants do all of the work, with, of course, a little magic to help them out. As she stared out at the sky past the magnificent glass walls, the slight sound of footsteps could be heard to the right of her.

"Suliman, I need a favor from you. Oh! Excuse me from disturbing you."

"Not at all your majesty. What is it that I can do for you?"

The great king cleared his throat and began twirling the end of his thick mustache.

"Well, not to be rude mind you, but none of us are getting any younger and I notice you are absent of an apprentice to take your place. If you don't mind my asking you, do you have someone in mind to succeed you?"

The king gave a light but nervous smile as he waited patiently for the elderly woman to answer his inquiry. Suliman, on the other hand, had no idea what her answer would be. She had always intended Howl to be the one to succeed her, but as things turned out, she no longer controlled the young man's life anymore. He had a life of his own now with his true love always by his side. This little situation did put a slight cramp in her plans.

"I'm sorry your majesty, but I have no one in mind. Why are you so curious about my succession sire? You have never been curious about it before."

Suliman gave the king a raised eyebrow as he once again cleared his throat in preparation to speak his mind to his great witch.

"Well, it seems as of late, my sister, you remember her of course, has left me in the care of her young daughter who already seems to be taking an extreme interest in magic. She seems to know basic spells and I would be greatly pleased if you would consider taking her under your wing, sort of speak."

The king gave a hopeful gaze down at the witch as her lips played into that sly smile of hers.

Suliman brought her right hand up under her chin and began to tap as if she was playfully considering her king's suggestion.

"This is all quite a bit to consider sire. You will of course understand if I may have some time to consider your generous offer?"

"Oh yes, of course! Take your time with your decision but please consider it. This seems to be a very good opportunity for you to finally have an apprentice again. Please be aware of that fact Suliman."

"Yes, thank you your majesty."

Suliman gave a slight bow with her head as the king gave her a very pleased smile and waved to her as he exited back through the path between the great plants and flowers.

Sigh…. Is this really what its come down to? Must I actually consider taking on the King's niece as an apprentice?

Suliman gazed down at her crystal ball as she noticed a slight disturbance inside the glass orb.

"Heen? So there you are! What have you been up to?"

The old dog in the ball put his giant nose up to the glass and gave a load snort. He then backed up to the side to give his true master a view behind him. What Suliman saw at first surprised her and then made her gaze soften at the scene playing before her old but ever watchful eyes.

There, within the glass orb, was her ex-apprentice sitting on the grass of his newly added courtyard with a content look on his face as he gazed at a young woman with silver hair sitting across from him in a very proper manner. A child with reddish-brown hair ran across the scene chasing after a ball. The entire scene looked to be so happy and carefree as she gazed down at to what her faithful companion was showing her.

The dog then turned his face back toward the woman and gave a few of his hoarse sounding barks.

"Yes, I do suppose he is happy now."

Heen gave a few more wheezing noises and wagged his tail.

"No, I'm not mad at you for not coming back right away. If you wish, you may stay with them as long as you like. Just keep me updated with Howl. I want to know if that boy is up to something. People just don't change in a single instant. Especially that boy."

The picture of the old dog faded away into a light mist until the orb was clear once again.

Suliman continued to stare at the ball well after there was nothing to spy on anymore. With a sigh and a rub to her forehead she had decided on her answer.

"Well, I guess I'm not getting any younger."