The castle was silent. Calcifer flickered quietly on the hearth, lazily watching the goings-on in the room around him. Markl was shuffling back and forth, attempting to keep things organized in Sophie and Howl's absence. The witch was in one of the upper levels, asleep.

Neither the demon nor the boy spoke. Both of them had silently accepted what they believed to be the inevitable- that Howl's plan had failed, and their master had been captured. Both were worried about how to get along without him, but neither dared voice their concern. Rather, they brooded quietly over what must be done to keep things in order.

The silence was broken when the door flew open. Markl jumped hastily to his feet, taking a defensive stance, and Calcifer flared up threateningly.

Through the door raced a frantic-looking Sophie and Howl. Sophie slammed the door shut behind them as Howl began to sprint about the castle, picking up anything that seemed necessary. Sophie, too, joined in this mad race, scooping up books and cooking essentials from the table.

"Howl?" Calcifer inquired, seeming dazed, "What's going on?"

"Just dropping in," Howl explained, racing past the demon with an armful of books.

"Where have you been?" Markl asked Sophie, who was going through the things she'd picked up. She cast aside anything that didn't seem important, and tucked what was vital into the pockets of her apron, which she had tied on hastily.

"Here and there," Sophie answered, shoving a box of matches into one of her pockets. Howl rushed by her, draping a blue shawl over her shoulders that matched the embroidery of her sun dress.

"What happened?" Calcifer pressed further, "Are you being pursued?"

"No," Howl answered quickly, pulling on a long, dark coat, choosing to wear it properly.

"But Turnip might be able to find the castle," Sophie continued, handing things to Howl so that he could put into his pockets what she was unable to stuff into hers. "If we're not here, we're hoping he'll leave you alone."

"So, off we go," Howl replied, throwing open the door once again and motioning for Sophie to follow.

"Promise you'll be good," Sophie warned Markl before the door was slammed, and Calcifer and Markl were left, staring after the pair in awe.

They'd chosen to travel on foot for awhile. Howl gripped Sophie's hand as they tore over the grass, running as fast as their legs would carry them. Sophie clutched at her shawl with her free hand to keep it from flying off her shoulders as they ran. Their feet pounded against the hard ground, propelling them faster. The castle shrunk away behind them, eventually disappearing over a hill.

But still they continued running. They stumbled over their feet, but still they continued racing across the landscape. They ran up hills and tumbled down them, only to heave themselves to their feet, brush themselves off, and start running again. It was only when they were certain they were far enough away from the castle that they collapsed to the grass, gasping for air.

Howl stared up at the insanely blue sky, breathing deeply. Every inch of his body has invaded by a dull ache which came from so much running and flying they'd done over the past few days. There had been times when they'd escaped capture by mere inches, but by sheer force of will they always managed to carry on.

Wearily, he rolled over onto his side to face Sophie. She was sitting up by now, going through her pockets to ensure that they hadn't dropped anything in their scramble to escape the castle before it was discovered. A harsh wind tore across the clearing, and Sophie clutched her shawl against her tightly, shivering. Howl, ever concerned about his Sophie, stood up and removed his coat to place it over her shoulders as well. She looked up at him with affectionate concern.

"Aren't you cold?" she asked gently, brushing a windblown lock of hair out of her face.

"No, not really," Howl replied, crossing his legs as he sat down beside her. She leaned her head on his shoulder with a sigh.

"This is madness," she remarked softly, "Running all over the place like fugitives, praying each night for safety, willing to give up everything to avoid capture."

"That's what people do when they love each other," Howl answered simply, leaning back on his palms, "They are willing to give up everything just to be together."

"Then people are mad," Sophie replied decisively, "But I guess that can't be helped."

Howl smiled. "No. No one can overcome the feelings in one's heart."

Reacting to his statement, Sophie gently put her hand on his chest to feel the pulsing of his heart beneath the fabric of his shirt.

"No, I guess not."

Both fell back again, lying in each other's arms. Both were too exhausted to speak any more. Sophie closed her eyes to rest as Howl watched clouds drift by overhead.

The perfect blue was obscured for a moment by a large aircraft soaring by. Not wanting to worry Sophie, Howl raised no alarm just yet. Remaining perfectly still, he willed the both of them to dissolve into invisibility until the craft passed harmlessly over them.

He sat up, now fading back into visibility, watching it go. They were searching for his castle, no doubt.

He had to protect his home.

He narrowed his eyes, focusing in completely on the craft. Raising one hand, he could sense the architecture and structure of the thing. He inhaled deeply, and rapidly clenched his extended hand into a fist, allowing power to surge down his arm. The great machine stopped in midair, controls jamming. Such an old trick- but it still worked wonders.

"Sophie," he turned down to speak sternly, "We have to go."

She sat straight up, blinking sleep from her eyes and looking confused. After an instant of evaluation, she was able to absorb the situation. Jumping to her feet, she nodded her understanding. Both took off running once more.

When the ship had sunk over the horizon, Howl positioned himself behind Sophie and took both of her hands. Black feathered wings tore through his shirt, extending widely behind him. He didn't make the full transformation, and used this to merely help them gain speed as they ascended quickly, gaining both height and distance at the same time.

"Were they headed for the castle?" Sophie inquired, quite unfazed at this point by dangling helplessly in the air.

"Yes," Howl replied gravely, "All I could do was stall them, though. Hopefully both Calcifer and ourselves will be able to get away before that ship gets going again."

Sophie uttered a weak laugh. "It's quite ironic," she said softly, tilting her head up so she could properly look at Howl, "The prince was the one who lead me to you, and saved your life after Calcifer gave your heart back. And yet, here we are, running for our lives from dear ol' Turnip."

"It is ironic," Howl agreed with a solemn nod, "He never seemed to be much of a threat."

He became aware of a whirring sound behind them. The ship had not only been repaired, but whoever was aboard had spotted them. Quickly, Howl pulled Sophie closer against him, shielding her as the dove downward, hoping to lose their pursuers.

But all in vain.

A loud bang echoed in Howl's ears, and something struck him hard in the back, sending pain shooting through his torso. The sound of Sophie's screams filled his head as they dropped heavily out of the clouds, the ground racing up towards them. He was able to overcome whatever had taken hold of him, and halted their fall just before they slammed into the hard rocks below. He set Sophie down gently, pulling in his wings until they disappeared. He winced against the sting of whatever had struck him, and he could feel blood trickling down his spine.

They'd been caught.