Howl's Moving Castle 2

(A/N: Hello guys! I apologise so much for not updating you! I have had so many jobs to complete and Christmas is nearly here! ^^Anyway, thank you for all your reviews and please R&R!)

Chapter Eight

Howl gasped as he let the words echo through his head, he stood there motionlessly as the cries of Serefina were blacked out, Howl was not prepared for the sudden blow on his head, which sent him flying next to Serefina.

"You idiot! Why did you do that? He is innocent and has done nothing against you!" Serefina protested as she slowly stood up, he legs were so weak that they were unable to withstand her small weight and she collapsed to the floor.

"So Princess, you are so weak and fragile," Jeorge whispered as he let his hand skim the soft cheek of Serefina and slowly placed his nails onto the skin. Serefina inhaled in slowly. Jeorge smirked and pull his hand back, the nails dug into the once soft skin of Serefina, blood started to flow freely from her cheek. Jeorge gazed at the blood, he smiled and the smile on his face began to grow bigger and bigger until he roared with laughter.

"Now that will shut you up, now to call the stupid wizard's family…" Jeorge was quickly interrupted as Serefina's eyes widened with shock.

"No you can't! You simply can't! Please I beg of you, do not do anything, please! I'll do anything; I'll stop this dam war, anything! Just don't do anything to Howl's family!" Serefina cried as moisture began to form in her eyes.

"Too late," Jeorge whispered as he looked at the horizon and Serefina followed his gaze. She looked over at Howl, who was tied up with ropes, unlike herself; she was tied up with a metal bar, which dug into her skin. The rope on Howl's wrists began to form a red ring round them. Serefina gazed at Howl as tears began to flow from her fiery eyes and to her emaciated chin.

"I'm sorry Howl, Sophie, Markl, Heen and Calcifer, you have done so much for me and now, I have nothing to repay you, apart from this. I am sorry, I truly am sorry…"

Sophie paced up and down against the flattened grass path which she made, whilst she impatiently walked up and down.

"Howl, where are you?" Sophie whispered to herself and sighed. Markl walked up to her and placed his small hand against Sophie's hand and smiled.

"I'm sure Master Howl is doing fine Sophie," Markl explained and smiled. Sophie smiled at Markl and ruffled his hair.

"I know Markl, he'll be fine," Sophie whispered. "Calcifer! Are you still feeling sick?" Sophie stood up and gazed at the door as it swung open.

"Nope, why is there a problem?" Calcifer asked as he yawned.

"Are you sure you're feeling well?" Sophie asked worriedly and received a nod from Calcifer as he approached Sophie.

"I'm fine, I mean because of Serefina who gave me a boost of her fire power and now I'm as powerful as ever. Speaking of Serefina, where is she? And where is my old pal?" Calcifer hovered near to the ground and Heen trotted over to him and licked his face.

"Hey! I am not a licking post for you, dog! And I do not mean you Heen, I meant Howl, where is he?" Calcifer hovered towards Sophie, who had her eyes closed. "Sophie is something wrong?"

"Well, Serefina is being hunted down and Howl went to check, but he hasn't come back and there is no sign of Serefina! What are we to do?" Sophie explained and Calcifer sighed.

"Leave it all to me! Your powerful fire demon Calcifer will help!" Calcifer explained and Sophie giggled.

"As I said before Calcifer, I love your spark!"

"Look Sophie! There is that big airship we saw earlier on!" Markl cried as Sophie followed the direction in which Markl was pointing to she gasped.

"Where are you Howl?" Sophie muttered to herself as she grabbed Markl's hand and they ran over a hill. Calcifer drifted behind Sophie.

"Look over there! It's Howl and Serefina!" Markl cried and jumped in excitement.

"Shh! We'll be heard, now we need to get there before anyone sees us…" Sophie was quickly interrupted as a shadow loomed over her.

"I don't think so pretty! Soldiers get them!" Jeorge ordered and a sudden swarm of Soldiers grabbed Markl, Heen and Sophie.

"Stop it! He's only a child!" Sophie cried as she struggled helplessly in the clutches of the men. Markl and Heen kicked at the soldiers as they tied a secure rope around their wrists.

"Sophie…"

"Calcifer?" Sophie spun around as she felt the rope tighten around her wrists.

"Hey! Stay still!" Sophie stood where she was as her eyes surveyed her surroundings.

"Shh or the spell will wear off."

"Spell? Is it you Calcifer?"

"Yes it is, it's an invisibility spell. Now Sophie listen carefully, act stupid, I know it won't be hard for you, but act stupid and do not protest or argue ok?"

"Ok, but what about you? What will you do?"

"Don't worry about me, for now just go with the flow of the wizard."

"Wizard?"

"Yes, the man who talked to you earlier on, he is Wizard Jeorge. Now Sophie go! My spell will run out soon!"

"Ok Calcifer!" Sophie exclaimed.

"Who are you talking to? Now shut up and follow us!" a soldier explained and Sophie ran to Markl and Heen.

"Sophie are we going to die?" Markl asked whilst tears began to form around his eyes. However, before Sophie was able to explain, a gentle voice rung into everyone's ears.

"Sophie!" Howl limped towards Sophie as they attempted to embrace each other.

"Howl! Where's Serefina?"

"Right here!" Jeorge answered and pulled Serefina from the ground. Serefina's wild fiery hair covered her eyes, her eyes with deep sorrow.

"Jeorge release her! What has she done to you? She has done nothing wrong!" Howl explained and Jeorge snorted.

"Nothing? You think this stupid brat has done nothing? This stupid war is all her fault and now people are dying all because of her!"

"I'm sorry… I truly am…"

"Serefina?"

(A/N: Hello sorry for such a long wait and all I give you is a short chapter! I am so sorry! -.- Anyway, until next time… Chow!)