So people ok this is going to be my first story on this website so let try this people some of this story will originate from bornonmayday so credit to them

The door tinkled to the entrance from Kingston street and markl rushed over to attend to the customer but stopped short when he came face to face with a beautiful young woman almost as tall as master howl himself she looked tired and worn from traveling she had long ginger hair tied loosely by a gold ribbon.

"Um excuse me – can I help you?"

" I'm looking for a friend of mine his name is Howl"

"I'm afraid that master howl is out currently but feel free to drop by later"

"please it's urgent would you mind if I waited for him?"

"I'd rather you didn't . . . . "

"Look here lady" butted in calcifer "howl doesn't like people hanging around You're clearly a witch and we'd all rather you waited elsewhere"

"Calcifer! Wow you've changed well I suppose so have I . . . . Wait . . . Calcifer surely you reognise me"

"no I don't now please leave"

"but" she was becoming increasingly flustered "please calcifer you must remember me I know we only met a couple of times but still . . . Did he throw away the pictures of me?"

"the pictures?"

"Small ginger haired girl purple eyes come on calcifer!"

Markl rushed upstairs and the heard him rummaging around there were a couple of loud thuds as he jumped a couple of steps to get back down

"You meant these ones on master howls bed side table?"

Calcifer looked at the photos and at the woman squinted a bit and then sucked in a breathe "due? Wow kid you grew, you used to be tiny how'd you find out where howl was hiding?"

"I don't exactly know he stopped writing years ago and then I . . . I just need to see him"

"ok ok sit don't touch anything"

She flopped neatly onto the chair and crossed her legs an hour passed as she told a story to markl one of three sisters one born of the stars one of the moon and one one of the sun. Another lot of hours passed and I was midnight markl had curled up on the sofa and fallen asleep she had covered him with her traveling cloak navy blue with pastel yellow stars and moons. Finally she shop door clanged open again and howl stumbled in she immediately he made it a couple of feet into the shop before collapsing onto the floor

"Howl? HOWL"

She knelt down next to him she touched his hair and face trying to provoke a reaction

"ssssfie sssfie srry"

His voice was slurred and he seemed to be only half conscious

She liked his shoulders and flipped him over he groaned audibly and winced. Markl jumped and sat up tipping the cloak off of him while calcifer climbed out the fire place and knelt down beside him

"what's wrong with him?"

Markl stood up to also go and sit beside him

"no kid go sit back down he might be contagious"

He slowly lowered himself back into the sofa. Howl groaned again loudly.

"how long has he been gone?"

"two days and a half"

There was a screaming silence that howl interrupted

"sssfie ssophie" he said urgently the colour rapidly draining from his face he swallowed noisily "mm bathroom . . . . Sickk" howl said desperately

She jumped "oh God" she tried to sit him up right so that he would choke on his own vomit

"come ooonn howl help me here"

She positioned her hands on his hips knelt down directly behind him so he leant back onto her chest she could feel his stomach muscles clinching under her hands and could hear calcifer clattering around somewhere looking for a bucket or basin

Shuddering, he let out a hiccuping burp and tried to pull himself up a little. she grabbed him from behind realizing that trying to get him up on his feet was definitely not an option in his state. Helping him sit, and leaning him away from his body, she supported his forehead, keeping his hair out of his face

"Howl I know this is horrible but I think you ought to relax your stomach it's better to get it done now rather than holding back"

Calcifer was back with a basin and she leant his face gently over it still supporting his face in her hands. He was taking short rasping breaths

"hey hey howl try and take some deeper breathe"

he finally managed to stop hyperventilating and felt the vomit rise in his throat he took another breathe and then vomited calcifer and markl looked away but due held him steady. It splattered her clothes and smelt horrible. until the attack eventually subsided. She kept talking in soft, comforting words. As she set the basin aside, Howl whimpered softly and sank down on the floor. Curling up in a shivering ball, he rested his head on her lap.

"S-sorry…" he managed. "Sorry… couldn't make it home… Sophie …. Sorry"

"whose Sophie?"

"she stayed with us for a while she's getting married to prince Justin"

"does he remember me at all?"

"yes but . . . .he's stubborn and it hurts him"

gently wiped his running eyes, his mouth and his nose with the toilet tissue, softly massaging his scalp.

"howl don't be sorry it's not your fault"

You'll be all right. Just rest a bit…" She kept stroking his hair and his back. His shirt was all damp with sweat, and she knew that she'd better get him cleaned up before he got cold.

Within a couple minutes, his breathing had eased a little. "Would you like us to tuck you in on the couch, or think you can make it upstairs if I support you?" She asked.

"Must… upstairs…bed… bath…" came the muffled reply.

Due sat him up, helping him shifting positions so he was kneeling beside her. Gently, she uncurled his left arm, placing it around her neck instead, and her own arm around his waist. He groaned and staggered, leaning heavily on her.

"What… what if I… I'm gonna be sick again?"

"Don't worry," she ensured him.

Somehow she managed to scoop howl up into her arms bridal style he whimpered and slowly she began to ascend the stairs

"Your heavier than I remember you used to be lighter, how come your still so skinny"

they finally reached the bathroom door.

As they were just about to cross the threshold of his room, Howl gave a small gasp, covering his mouth. They made it to the toilet just in time, and he got down on his knees, once again retching violently. She held his head, still talking soothingly,

Finally, after several minutes of what was mostly dry heaves, the vomiting ceased and Howl sank down, leaning his head against the cool porcelain, breathing in short gasps.

Howl sank back in a sitting position, almost too tired to stay upright. But suddenly he tensed, making an attempt to rise, apparently trying to position himself on top of the toilet instead, fidgeting frantically with the fastening of his breeches. Due immediately understood. His hands were shaking to much to undo anything. He moaned loudly (A/N not that way you dirty people) due flushed and started to fumble with his breeches finally they slipped down around his ankles. By this time they were both blushing furiously.

But she had no intention of leaving the room, and Howl would not have let her. He was sitting, slumped forward, his left lower arm wedged between his upper thigh and the sore part of his ribs. He clasped her hands tightly, as she was kneeling in front of him.

"sophie" he was clearly still delirious "did . . . you. . . dye. . your hair"

It hurt every time he called her Sophie

"Oh, Howl…" she managed, her voice trembling.

"S-Sophie… please, forgive m-me, I'm so sorry…"

Howl was shivering violently, and all of a sudden, he started retching again. Due quickly reached for the washbasin near the tub, and placed it on his lap. His body was convulsing as it was trying to empty itself from all ends. Eventually, his effort to vomit brought up a mouthful of green bile, and the rush of liquid down the toilet seemed to have ceased.

She put down the basin and reached for the chain, flushing the toilet. For a couple moments, they both just sat there, due gently stroking Howl's heaving back. His shirt was all slick with sweat. Talking softly, she wiped his face and mouth with her sleeve. She grabbed a glass from the bathroom shelf, filling it up with water and putting it to his lips. At first, he pulled away, but she insisted. "You shouldn't drink it, just swirl it… there…" she encouraged him.

Howl did what he was told, but he seemed so drained that even rinsing his mouth proved to be a great effort. "Need… bath…" he hissed in a hoarse voice.

She felt the colour rush To her face again

"um howl . . . . ok . . .fine" she finally Bagan to process what had just said "wait howl I don't think you should you have a fever and you're delirious it could be dangerous

Howl shook his head, his eyes closed. "But I need… that bath oil…"

"We'll just put some in the sponge water then…"

Howl gave a tired nod, then gasped, clutching his stomach tightly.

"It will all be over soon, you'll see…" she soothed. "Just a few more moments now and we can put you to bed… and you'll wake up as good as new…"

She drew another deep breath and tried to stop her self from getting more red. "Now… let's get you out of these clothes…"

Normally, such a comment would have made the wizard explode with wicked laughter, probably followed by some teasing remark regarding his irresistibility. Now, all he could manage was a barely audible snort, followed by a gasp of pain.

She managed a smile awkwardly and still bright red in the face as she gently grabbed his legs one at a time, freeing him of his boots and his socks.

she felt herself blushing more if that was possible as his pants and underwear dropped to the floor. The shirt proved a bit more difficult, though, since he was still hunched over, and she had a hard time getting to the buttons.

"Howl …" she coaxed, stroking his hair. "Just let me–"

He understood and complied, with a great effort. As she was finally able to untangle his arms from the damp sleeves, his pain was so intense that due suddenly became aware of that he was about to lose consciousness again. She grabbed his shoulders and helped him put his head between his knees.

"Dizzy…" he hissed. But at the same moment as his head cleared a bit, the nausea hit him again. He was totally drained of all fluids, though, and had nothing to bring up.

Once again, they sat waiting for the aftershocks to fade. She looked around the bathroom and her eyes fell on the wooden stool next to the bath tub. Fortunately, it had once been magically impregnated to withstand water damage. She placed it inside the tub, and fortunately it fitted on the bottom, standing without wobbling. Returning to Howl, she placed herself beside him.

"Let's get you into the tub .… think you can stand for a moment? Just put your arm around me now… there…"

The wizard weakly lifted his right arm, and put it around her neck, making an attempt to rise, but promptly sank back again, making a pained face.

"What is it?" Due felt her chest tighten.

"Legs… numb… toilet seat… mph…" Howl managed through clenched teeth.

"All right, let's try again." Very carefully, she lifted each of his legs, softly massaging the pressure marks, until Howl gave a weak nod.

They eventually made it to the tub, and she assisted him as he climbed inside. His legs were still very wobbly as he placed himself on the stool, immediately slumping over once more, shivering violently. Due stroke him a few times along his back, silently musing that he was way too thin and this would hardly make it better.

Cleaning the basin throughly, she filled it up with lukewarm water, and added the proper bath oils according to Howl's instructions. Eventually, the water got a fresh, mint-ish smell to it, and a faint shade of blue. Hopefully, it would relieve his pain. Normally, he'd probably have read some spell over the water too, but there was no way she would have allowed him to do any magic in this state.

Grabbing a couple of smaller towels, she soaked one of them in the basin for a few moments, then wrung out the excess water until it was just wet enough. Softly and tenderly, she started sponge washing Howl's entire body. Initially, his shivering increased, but after a while, he seemed to be able to relax a bit, even if just sitting up was a horrendous strain, and he was either leaning heavily against the wall or slumped forward.

In the years that she had been friends with him she had never been in a situation like this, never clothe less, and never with howl sick admittedly it had been five years since they had been in contact and six since she had actually seen him. She never understood why he stopped writing.

She heard calcifers voice float up the stairs

"Due kid we called Sophie and prince Justin they're on their way to help out do you know what's wrong with him"

Due gently stroked his bangs out of his face. What had she gotten her self into.

"I would say I dreadful mix of food poisoning and cholera if not the food poisoning defiantly cholera we're going to need to fumigate the house and burn his clothes and sheets we need to get the little one out of here maybe he could stay with this sophie"

She heard delighted squeezing from down stairs

Feeling better?" She grabbed one of his severely stained hands, and placing the entire basin on his lap, she put his hand and lower arm in the water, carefully rubbing away the dirt with the wet towel.

"Not much… sorry..." Howl murmured as she gently pried away his other hand from his stomach repeating the washing procedure.

"Would you like me to wash your hair as well?"

He gave a nod. "Please…"

She quickly fetched his hair brush from the shelf. Fortunately, his hair wasn't in such a bad shape as she had feared, and despite the fact that it was dirty and lifeless, only a few strokes of the brush were required to untangle the knots.

"There…" due put the brush back on its shelf and refilled the basin with water and bath oil. After wetting Howl's hair, she chose one of the nearest shampoos from the shelf, massaging it into his hair. Howl made a small sound of delight as her fingertips were rubbing his scalp, but it was immediately followed by a gasp of pain. Her hand stroke his cheek as she reached out for the tap, refilling the basin anew. As she poured the first basin over his head, she grabbed another of the small towels that was not yet used, wetting it and washing his face with the excess water.

"Thank you… 'm sorry…" Howl whispered, his eyes closed.

"Howl, … there is no need to apologize." She sighed. "You can't help it…"

After ensuring the shampoo was all rinsed out, and every inch of Howl's body had been properly cleaned she gently, Bringing out the largest towel she could find, she wrapped it around his shivering body.

"Feeling any better?" He was still slumped forward, but she was hoping for a positive answer.

But Howl just gave a small shake of his head. "No… sick… hurts…"

She nodded. "Let's get you to bed, then."

Carefully, she took his arm and wrapped it around her neck. Howl made an attempt to rise from the stool, and nearly fell before due was able to help him stepping over the edge of the tub. He had to catch his breath for a few moments, but fortunately it didn't provoke another attack of vomiting.

Slowly, they started walking toward their bedroom. Howl was wobbling, hardly able to lift his feet, and several times, he stopped abruptly tightly clutching his stomach. As they finally reached the bed, Due helped him sit down on the edge. She lifted his crumpled nightshirt from the floor and pulled it over his head. She had to help him putting his arms through the sleeves. As soon as the towel left his shoulders, the shivering grew even worse, and she quickly gathered the covers from the floor where they had ended up as she'd abruptly left the bed in the morning.

With a moan, Howl let himself sink down on his pillow, initially trying to stretch out as he usually did when lying down on the bed, but groaning, he winced, curling up on his side, clutching his midsection. He paled, swallowing.

"Gonna be sick again?" Due asked in alarm.

"Dunno… think I'm quite… empty…" came the muffled reply. "I just feel… it hurts so much…"

Due covered Howl's shivering body, pulling the blankets up to his chin and tucking him in. She stroked the bangs from his forehead. He was still burning hot to the touch. Her hand quickly traced his jawline down to his cheek.

"I'll be right back," she promised as she rose to leave. She had just heard the shop bell go and she headed down stairs.

There was a strange small woman with silver hair and a tall blonde man with fancy clothes waiting for her

"and who are you" snapped a the silver hairs woman

"A friend of howl…. He did not tell you about me did he"

"no" the silver haired woman replied and then her face fell "I'm so sorry I'm just worried I didn't think he could get sick I didn't meant to be rude"

Due nodded

"do not let it bother you he clearly wishes you were looking after him …. He keeps calling me Sophie"

Sophie snorted and almost dissolved into tears "calcifer told me what you think he's got …. Where could he of caught cholera from what did he eat that could of poisoned him?"

"well he was helping to clean up after the war was he not …. My suspicion is that he got cholera from corpses and the food poisoning from someone whose food he ate was who was helping to clear the corpses"

"oh my God"

"I was hoping you could take the kid, markl I would not want him to get sick he is quite young and his immune system is weaker than mine"

"you're not used to talking to people are you"

She shrugged "I should get back to howl you should go"

She heard howl moan again loudly