az: Thank you dear pendragon and cab, I'm glad you guys liked the fic. Oh... and don't worry about me jumping the window. I was just feeling ditzy since I actually dared and wrote the bunch of fluff without shame. XD. And I kept proofreading the three chapters that I kept adding more scenes and lines... haha.

Ha! Finally I got both the paperback edition of Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Air! Add in theS's A Woman True and Fair as a complementary read... I think I can get a lot of ideas to continue this story.


Disclaimer: I don't own Howl's Moving Castle nor the other adaptations of the novel. If I OWNED it... won't I not post this fic here? Characters and original excerpts from the fic are copyrights of Diana Wynne Jones and Hayao Miyazaki for the anime adaptation.

WARNING: It might be plotless... it might not. It might also be out of character... but please forgive me if I did. Hey... it was after all, a family-themed fiction! I love perusing this theme a lot.


Unspoken wish

In which Howl missed the semblance between two different women

Written by Azzie/Az aka Izumi Ishtar

Howell pulled away as Megan kept casting amused glances at him. 'What was this--? Trying to mollycoddle me after all that squabbling. I thought you hated my gutts! Especially with that all too good Gareth, who was nothing like this useless, miserable me...', snarled Howell as Megan cast anxious look at him.

'Howell...', coaxed Megan as she placed her hand on his neck, brushing over the bruise that had started to form. 'I'm sorry... I never thought Gareth will go as far as--- Ah, confound it! I thought if I treated you badly enough, you'll never come back to the house and cease to be getting at odds with Gareth anymore! But you...'

Howell frowned. 'What! Now don't you start saying things as if you were so noble! Fess up! You are so disgusted with me that you were anxious to throw me out of the house!'

Megan's eyes flared. 'Why you--! Confounded brat! I won't tolerate such rudeness from Neil and especially, NOT from you! After all I did bringing you up--', she cried as she grabbed him and tried boxing his ears...

XXX

Sophie, Mari and Michael flinched as they overheard the shoutings upstairs. She began to regret leaving the two alone by themselves as she contemplated to interrupt them. But Mari had different plans for her as she turned to Sophie. 'Sophie... does the magic door open to other places too? Can you do magic? Are there magical things out there like mermaid, unicorns--', asked Mari excitedly as Calcifer, Michael and Sophie took turns to entertain Mari's delightful questions. Someone knocked lightly on the door as Calcifer talked idly from Mari's shoulder, being very fond of the child looking at him in wonder.

'Market Chipping door!', he said as Sophie got up to open the door. To her surprise, Martha, Lettie and Ben greeted her almost too cheerfully. 'Oh... heavens! Why the sudden visit?', she cried as she led them in. 'I was surprised. You guys weren't the only batch of guests we're getting tonight. Let me introduce... this is Mari, Howl's niece...', she said as Martha and Lettie squealed at the sight of her. Mari grinned at the attention she got.

'So... where's Howl? The King had been wondering, you know? He still hadn't gone to the palace to recieve his Majesty's gratitude on getting his brother back. And I'm here also to remind him that he's still considered as one of his Royal Magicians...', said Ben as Sophie eyed him suspiciously. 'Was that all the reason you came here?', she asked as he shrugged. 'No. Justin asked me to go check on him too after he overheard Lettie talking about his supposed illness--'

Sophie laughed nervously as she waved it away. 'Ah... it was nothing. I was actually being too worried about him. Howell's fine...', she said as Martha glanced up towards her. 'Oh Sophie, I forgot to tell you. Fanny asked whether you're set on moving in. You know Fanny... she's worried about the rumors, Howl's bad rep... the likes--', she said as she rolled her eyes.

Sophie chuckled half-heartedly as Benjamin noticed her uneasiness and smiled. Suddenly a loud shouting was heard from upstairs as the three of them looked up in alarm. Michael and Sophie tried to wave it away at them as they tried to divert their attention.

'What's that?-!', cried Lettie as Ben gasped aloud. 'Good lord!'

Martha held Mari tight as she stared at Sophie in shock. 'Sounded like you when you were angry!', as Sophie wondered about that statement. Michael held her hands in comforting gesture. 'Don't worry... it was nothing.'

'It was Megan.', said Sophie matter-of-factly as the commotion died down again. 'Howl's sister...', she explained as the three of them cast meaningful looks at her, wanting to know who this Megan was. Before any of them could swallow the facts down, the door banged from upstairs as Howl stormed out looking like a roasted lobster. Megan came out soon after as Howl looked at them in surprise.

'Lettie? Martha... Ben! What's the late visit for?', he exclaimed as Megan took a glance at the new visitor. 'Your friends? My... you do have peculiar taste in them...'

Howl turned towards her as he exclaimed. 'Megan, I'm not a child anymore. Don't act so motherly on me...', cried Howell as Megan approached the others. Sophie hastily came up beside her as she introduce her sisters and Ben. 'Megan... this was Martha and Lettie, my sisters. And this is Benjamin Sullivan... a magician like Howl.', she said as Megan cast a knowing look at Ben.

'Do I meet you before--?', she asked as Ben muttered nervously. 'Maybe. Though it had been so long since I went back to Wales...', he said courtly.

Megan nodded at this as she turned towards the girls, who had started to play with Mari. Ignoring the lost cause of which was the one Howell Jenkins as he cried exasperately at her. 'Megan... it was late. Certainly you had other things to do. Like that no-good-evil husband of yours...', he muttered irritably. Megan looked out towards Market Chipping as she realized that it was late. She sighed. 'Ahh well... it'll be Saturday tomorrow, and Mari had yet started school. I think Neil and Gareth can take care of themselves while Mari and I stayed here for a while...' Mari gave a cry of joy as Lettie showed her some of the magic tricks she had learnt.

Sophie glanced nervously to Howl as the latter was looking alarmingly panic-stricken. 'B-but Megan...', he started to protest.

'Besides... I still need to get to know of my future in-laws. And of course, I still need to have to train a bit of responsibility in you before letting you marry Sophie and settle down--', she said meaningly as Sophie felt her cheeks warmed. Howl was looking far worser as he looked as if he was about to shed tears in embarassment. Ben felt almost pity over the fellow magician...

And then Mari pulled on her skirts. Megan looked down as the child whined. 'Ma... I'm hungry...', said the child as Martha cried aloud. She and Lettie immediately darted towards the doorway and recollect the forgotten cakes, roast chicken and fruit cocktail as Michael lead them through the broom cupboard, where the shop was and Ben conjured a large table for them to dine. Sophie had to coax Howl to join them as Megan eyed them slyly.

XXX

It was quite late when Ben and the girls finally left for home as Howell, Michael and Calcifer went out to the courtyard as they did some magic exercise. And that, left Sophie alone with Megan with Mari sleeping on her lap. 'Should I get the bed ready, Mari--' Megan shook her head. 'No need to rush it. Stay. Tell me more about yourself... and what was it that you liked about my insufferable brother--'

Sophie fidgeted on the carpeted floor as she tried to defend Howl's credit. 'Howl's not that insufferable!', she said indignitantly as Megan regarded her curiously as she continued. 'True, he was a selfish, dishonest, cowardly, whimpering and irresponsible slitherer-outer but he was also kind, gentle and a loving person that can't make you feel like despising him--'

'And so in truth, generally... that you loved my expressively childish brother, ain't it? Miss Sophie Hatter?', cut Megan as Sophie glared at her with ultimate distaste. Despite how she had started to like Megan, she seemed unable to stop herself into picking a bone with her.

Megan chuckled at her appalled look. 'If I should understand all those things you told me before... I supposed you had been that same old lady whom had scoffed at me the last time Howell came in to ask for my son's attention, true? Oh my... Howell, sweet little brother he is...', said Megan as she shook her head in glee and amusement. Sophie glanced at her puzzled as Megan slowly lifted Mari up her shoulders as Sophie rushed to her room to set out a mattress down for them.

Megan walked slowly behind her as Howell and Michael finally turned in, with the young apprentice hurriedly ran into his room to avoid her. Howl grabbed Megan's hand slightly as she glanced at him. 'You... serious about this training responsiblity in me and all those talk thing you did...' Megan can't hide her glee as she patted his head. 'Sure... though I can't believe that you are so attached to me. Never thought I'd still see you clinging to this dear elderly sister of yours after all that arguments I picked on you to drive you to do something worthwhile. And it seemed that you've got a replacement for me... aren't you. Cheeky child!', teased Megan as Howell blinked at her, utterly surprise at this exchange.

'Surely that Sophie was quite as formidable as me. I surprised myself into realizing that you'll end up with someone like her...', said Megan as she entered Sophie's room.

Howell still stood unmoved as the realization finally dawned on him at what Megan tried to tell him...

XXX

'You liked her very much, aren't you?'

Sophie opened her eyes to find Mari sleeping alone on the matress on the floor. A little drowsy, she crept to her half-opened door to find Megan and Howl talking in civil-like manner near the workbench.

Howell shrugged. He slowly nodded as Megan smiled. 'Bless myself. I guess it takes someone like me to actually get yourself straighten up--' Howl looked at her in alarm. 'Megan!', he cried as the woman chuckled. 'Then... I trust her to take care of you in my place. And you... don't you bully her so much as you did me. She's a fine young lady and had no reason for you to exploit her so much--'

Sophie felt almost to want to laugh as Howl started to pout like a sore-baby.

Megan sighed. 'And since Sophie's told me that you've been miserable of late, I'll let you come visit us on occasional times--' Howell's face light up as Megan glared at him. 'But only in the mornings! Gareth often worked until late in the afternoons that your coming during the mornings will not involve either of you clashing swords again. I don't want things like yesterday happen again in my own lawn...'

Howl frowned. 'Why did you have to marry that piece of rock...? Even Neil started to become like him.' Megan patted his head. 'Then how else I'm to afford raising you along with keeping our parent's house? After all... I won't be having Neil and Mari now had I've not married to him. You won't be getting to university and end up as a magician in this world!'

'I wished you had married someone else...', he moarned again as Megan held him fondly.

Sophie yawned as she went back to sleep. It'll be a couple more hours until dawn anyway...

XXX

It was a cheerful day that day as for one miraculous moment, Megan and Sophie had been up early preparing breakfast as Megan thought her some of her recipes of which she told her had been among Howell's favorite delicacies. Breakfast went peacefully though Howell had been restless. He had gone peering over his bedroom window to find Gareth angrily search around the Parry's residence, obviously searching for his wife and daughter. Megan waved his concerns away as Michael took Mari to the flower garden to get some fresh flowers to sell.

XXX

'Sophie... I daresay this to you. I hope you can take care of this poor brother of mine. I know it was bothersome for you as Howell's so useless--'

'Hey Megan!', cried Howell as Sophie chuckled. Megan shooed him out through the broom cupboard as moments later a tawny cat hopped onto Sophie's lap. Megan shook her head. 'Really that boy...', she gasped as Sophie's lips quirked as she noticed the cat's apparent disapproval over Megan's retort on Howl. Megan glanced towards her.

'Sophie... I hope you hadn't and won't give him free rein so much! That will certainly spoil him... goodness, I have spoiled him too much before realizing what I did!', cried the woman again as she went to wash some dishes. The cat's tail seemed to frizzled as Sophie sounded her agreement over the matter. Megan returned to her seat. 'And don't let him bully you as much. Teach him your worse if you had too!', she said as the poor cat stared at her in horror. This struck Megan as odd as Sophie scratched the cat's ears fondly.

'No... that won't be needed.', she said, meaningfully to the cat as the cat purred. 'I think if Howell knows that you tried to convince me to do that, he'll certainly won't exploit me too much. That cheek knows what's best for him...', she said as she grinned towards the cat.

This retort cause the cat to lick her fingers fondly as it went further as to try to nuzzle her face. Megan was now intrigued at the strange behaviour of the cat. 'Charming kitten you have there...', she said disarmingly. Sophie chuckled. 'Well... like somebody, it knows how to please people to its advantage... Ahh! Enough.. you spoiled cat!' cried Sophie as both women tickled its belly. 'You know... this cat remind me a lot of Howell. That kid always loved to exaggerate so much until almost appearing dramatic. I'm surprised he had't tried becoming an actor. And like this cat... Howell's extremely ticklish!'

Sophie laughed as the cat looked at her in alarm. 'I can believe you, Megan! Indeed... this cat is Howell...', she cried as Megan looked at her in alarm. 'Yes dear... oh what?-!', she cried as Sophie lifted the cat level to her. She grinned. 'Hadn't you enough... eavesdropping on us?'

The cat made a face as it spoke. 'Can't I? You guys were talking behind my back!', whined the cat as Megan chuckled, her shock almost went away. Howell reverted back to himself as he glared towards his sister in horror. 'Megan... how could you?', he cried as Megan gave him a peck on his cheek.

'Then, tell your sister that she won't have to worry more about your wellbeing! I'm taking Mari back this evening... and I want you to promise to tell me when you're getting married! Promise to be good or I'll be telling Sophie everything needed to keep you on the toe all the time!'

Howl glanced at her in surprise as he hugged her. 'I'll promise then...', he said as Michael, Calcifer and Mari returned from the marsh. The little girl cried happily. 'Ma and uncle make up! Yay...', she cried as Howell let his sister go and she jumped onto him. Howl swung the little girl around as he glanced worriedly back to his sister at the thought of inviting them to his future wedding.

Megan shrugged as she said plainly. 'I'll only be taking Neil and Mari...', she said as Howl smiled at her gratefully.

(END)


az: Hehe... will this be the end? What more should I write? Haha... well, maybe a longer time needed for me to get some more inspiration. XD