Chapter None: In which is an explanation, an apology, and a cookie

Right. Firstly, this is an author's note, and not a whole new chapter. (Sorry! Don't throw bananas at me!And don't report me to the mods, cos if you do, my account'll be frozen for a week!) I'd like to apologize to everyone for making them wait so long for chapter 3.

And speaking of which, chapter 3 of Reality check definitely will be out, latest by the end of September. Why? Because I've written three quarters of it already, and it's sitting safely in my hard drive at this moment. I'd like to finish it ASAP, but its getting held up due to my finals which are just around the corner.

I decided to post a little snippet of chapter 3 here, just as a little something. That is, until I finish the rest and all that editing stuff. I wanted to post this, as everyone seems to be wondering how Howl's parents are like. Well, they're pretty normal, if not, a little bit kooky. Or rather, as normal, as you can get to parents...

So, before I get on to the cookie, I'd like to thank all my reviewers! I love you all so much! If it wasn't for your lovely reviews, I would have scrapped the whole fic in already! Much love to the following people:

Kina the DragonMaster, GoAndCatchAFallingStar, LJstagflower4e, Lady of Masbolle, heather, Calcifersgrl, ChocolateEclar, Jowa, Rein Elanor, jerrylee, Gabbie, Chanyasoy, MaidM, Terriah, Estriel, Xin Yi, hey there, beckythorn13, GibberishTouched, Starlight Chibi-chan, nebulia, kate, AD-chan1, vivi scarlett-sedai, daredevilX, silvermoonwolf, FreakyWannabes, Water Block, Min Farshaw, riana1, lover boy, sky rat, Garnet, Healing Opal, Fire Spirit, Fresh Fruit, Winter Paradise, Arcane Terror, Sapphire Kitsune02, Hiro no Tsuki, L8infinity.

Calcifersgrl: Of course there will be embarrassing childhood tales! Which family reunion would be complete without one? (Besides, its fun to think of Howl doing something embarrassing...)

MaidM: Don't pull your hair out! I'll still update. Thanks for putting that HMC community on LJ!

Xin Yi: Everyone seems to love the "Unprintable Things' bit. Acutally, DWJ used it in Homeward Bounders as well, but no one seemed to realize...

Water Block: Well, I've been waiting for Miyazaki's version of HMC since 3 years ago, and was pretty psyched up about the movie. And I watched it three times so far already. It's a great show, but I think I still prefer the book.

And that's about it! Once more, thanks to all you guys, and sorry for just disappearing like that! On to the Cookie!

Sophie found herself backing slowly towards the window. She secretly wondered if she could sneak out of the room without being noticed. She felt a sudden breeze across her legs. To her surprise, the window was open and there was a cold draft blowing in. She could see the top of Howl's blonde head sticking up from just underneath the sill. And he was beckoning towards her

"Howl," she hissed. She leaned over the sill. "What are you doing?"

Howl was perched on a thick vine of ivy creeping across the wall. "Lets get out of here before they realize we're missing," he whispered. "You won't want to be around with them now."

"But I can't get down," she whispered back. "Its dangerous!"

Howl extended his hand to her. "I'll help you down. The vine's strong enough to take two. Hurry!"

"It's quite high up," Sophie began uncertainly, as it was a long way down to the garden. But there was a large crash when Malcolm knocked over a table.

Megan was bawling that how Mr and Mrs. Jenkins never made an effort to respect the rules she laid in the house. Mr. Jenkins retorted by saying that Garreth should be the one making the rules, since he was the man of the house. Garreth was torn between calming his wife down and agreeing with his father-in-law. Mari was crying because of the shouting and Mrs. Jenkins was noisily trying to comfort her. Somehow Neil had joined in the fray as well, yelling that they should keep quiet. Malcolm had gotten tired of prancing around and had proceeded to eat the bed sheet.

Sophie immediately decided that she would rather risk breaking her neck crawling down the wall rather than stay in a room of yelling people. She immediately took Howl's proffered hand and cautiously climbed out of the window.

Until the next chapter, then. Thanks once more to all those who reviewed!