PLEASE ENJOY!

Warning: Definitely has some OOC character!

Disclaimer: I do not own Howl's Moving Castle! Nu-uh! But I own my OC!

Memories/Flashback

'...' Thought

"..." Normal Talks

Chapter 4:

"Turnip, stop pulling it so hard." Markl whined as he tried to hold on to the clothesline while the Turnip Head pulled them across the field. Rika laughed lightly as she helped Sophie to hang the clothes while she looked around the scenery.

Before they know it, the laundry is done

"Finally" Rika smiled in satisfaction as she rubbed her temple

"Can we take a break now?" Markl pleaded to Sophie

"Yes, Markl, we can take a break now." Sophie chuckled

"How about having some tea out here?" Rika suggested, "I'd like to enjoy more of the scenery."

"That's a good idea" Sophie nodded "Alright then, me and Markl will bring the table and chairs"

"Eh? No, I'll do it" Rika said

"But Howl won't be impressed if he heard you lifting heavy stuff, right?" Sophie raised her eyebrow

"... That's right... Sorry..." Rika looked at Sophie apologetically, "At least let me prepare the tea... and maybe something to eat?"

Sophie hesitantly looked at Rika who's giving her an irresistible puppy's eyes "Fine, but if you need help just tell me, okay?" Sophie said in defeat

"Okay" Rika smiled triumphantly as they got into the castle. Once they're inside the castle, Sophie and Markl cleared off a small table while Rika move towards the kitchen to make some food.

"What's all the ruckus about?" Calcifer asked with a frown

"Sophie and Rika-san thought that it'd be nice if we had some tea outside." Markl answered as he struggle to drag the table across the floor.

"Here, let me help you with that." Sophie said as they carried the table towards the door

"Oh right, that reminds me, Cal, could you boil some hot water for the tea?" Rika smiled sweetly as she looked at the fire

"No!" the demon shouted, "Boil your own water!" Rika completely ignored him and grabbed the kettle and filling it with water while humming slightly.

"Hey! Are even listening to me?" Calcifer asked as he watched her walked towards him

"Please~" Rika pouted

"No, this time I won't lose to you" Calcifer said as he closed his eyes "I'm not even going to look at you"

"Please, please, please~" Rika chanted sweetly, but Calcifer tried his best to ignore him "Mou... don't be so mean to me, Cal..."

"It was quiet the opposite!" Calcifer opened his eyes to looked at her and he lowered his guard. Rika smiled at this and quickly placed the kettle onto the fire before he even had time to react.

"Well, maybe I'm a little bit mean to you" she grinned "Sorry Cal"

"Geez, if you wasn't such a nice girl, I'll definitely burn this down" Calcifer sighed

"Thank goodness then" she grinned innocently

"Rika-san, do you need any help?" Markl who came rushing into the house asked

"Oh right, could you get the plates?" Rika asked as she walked to get the ham and bread.

"Sure." The apprentice replied then walked towards the cupboards.

Once the kettle boiled and the food was ready, they brought everything out and joined Sophie by the water. "I think he likes doing the laundry." Markl said as they watched Turnip Head hop towards the lake.

"Looks like he'll have it dry in no time." Sophie said in agreement as Rika pored them some of the tea

"I bet Turnip was some kind of demon." Markl said while reaching for the bread, "Calcifer doesn't seem to mind him."

"You're right, maybe he's a demon of the dead." Sophie said absentmindedly.

"But he is nice... so I don't think he's a demon for that matter" Rika smiled slightly

"Well, he did lead me to this wonderful place, so maybe he's the good kind." The old lady explained.

"Maybe." Rika smiled

Everyone was silent after that, they seemed to drift off into their own worlds while admiring the scenery at the same time.

"I think I'd better get the laundry. It looks like it's going to rain." Rika said after seeing the sun was about to set and storm clouds were slowly assembling.

"Huh?" Markl snap out of his thought, and looked at Rika "Oh right, don't worry Rika-san, I'm on it."

Within seconds, he was running towards Turnip Head, the laundry basket in his hands. Looking over at Sophie, Rika smiled and decided to leave her alone to enjoy herself. She quietly collected the dirty dishes and stalked towards the castle, leaving the old woman a few extra minutes to herself.

After they brought everything inside, Rika began to fold the laundry. "Markl, could you go call Sophie in, please? It's getting dark."

"Yeah, for sure." The boy replied, then left to go get the grandma.

Once all the clothes were folded, Rika walked towards the couch and flopped down onto the soft, red cushions. "That's quiet tiring" Rika sighed slightly as she grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest.

"Well, at least you're not the one who's moving a giant castle every day." Calcifer said from the fire place

"That's true." Rika giggled.

The front door creaked open as Sophie and Markl walked back inside the castle. It was already night when Sophie approaches Rika

"Um, Rika-san?" the old lady called hesitantly.

"Yes? Is there something wrong?" Rika asked

"I was just wondering," Sophie paused before asking, "Where am I supposed to sleep?"

"Oh right... about that" Rika paused "We don't have a spare bedroom... Oh! I know you could use my room!"

"What?" Sophie asked in surprise "No, no... That won't be necessary and I think Howl won't like it either"

"True" Calcifer said

"Well... that's true" Rika nodded as she paused to think for a moment "I guess you could just sleep down here. Would it be alright if you sleep on the couch?"

"That'd be alright" Sophie nodded

"Wait a minute, I'll get the pillow and blanket" Rika said as she walked upstairs and returned with blanked and pillow in her hands, she placed the item on the sofa. "There... I hope you'd be comfortable here"

"Thank you, Rika-san" Sophie nodded before she paused and glanced at the fire "But I don't think I'm comfortable with Calcifer staring at me all night"

"Hey, I do not stare at people. Besides, who would want to stare at you all night?" Calcifer yelled in defense

Rika just shook her head and smiled at Sophie "We could move the couch behind the curtains if you don't mind"

"Alright." The grandma agreed.

Markl helped Rika to clear up the space under the stairs and pushed the couch into the tiny space.

"Alright" Rika smiled "That should do it."

"It's perfect," Sophie replied "Thank you"

"You're welcome... well, I'll be upstairs if you need me" Rika said "Have a goodnight everyone"

They called a good night as Rika made her way up the stairs.