Disclaimer: I do not own Hana to Akuma or the characters therein

Chapter 4: A New Home and Guardian

Slowly Hana allowed herself to relax in Vivi-sama's embrace. Once she did she began to enjoy flying. Her heartbeat erratically in her chest and she wasn't sure if it was all due to the excitement of being suspended 200 feet in the air, or from being so close to Vivi-sama. She blushed as she realized how close their bodies were. She turned her head into his chest to hide her blazing cheeks.

Vivi liked the way she fitted against him. She seemed to be built perfectly for him. As she turned her face into his chest and snuggled closer to him he felt a strange tightening in his chest. I have never felt that sensation before. He thought to himself. Carrying her bridal style doesn't require any effort at all. Must be because I have been in the sunlight for too long. Squinting intensely he stated, "This damn light is too bright! I usually am not out this time of day. I am more the nocturnal type."

"Oh, I'm sorry that you had to come back for me.", she apologized. He said that he wanted to protect her and she had no choice but to trust him at the moment, so she decided to try to be as friendly as possible.

"Don't apologize. It is my fault that Claus and Velten showed up at your house. I am the one who should apologize to you."

Did he just say that? Suddenly she realized that Velten was right. Vivi wasn't as bad as she thought. "Vivi-sama may I ask you something?"

"Yes, go ahead."

"Why don't you like sunlight? I love being out in the sunshine."

"I suppose most humans do, but we demons don't like it. Our world is not as bright as this. There is no sun where I am from."

"No sun?" She asked incredulously. "That's terrible!" No wonder his disposition was so dark. Maybe spending time in her world would do him some good. But for right now, she was worried about him being unaccustomed to the morning sunlight. It was just one hour shy of noon. "Vivi-sama... m-maybe you shouldn't be out in the sun anymore."

"So you are concerned over my health again, my little flower?" he sounded amused.

"Well... I-I"

"Don't worry, we are almost home."

Home? It may be your home, but it isn't mine. Oh no! He took me away without allowing me to get anything. No clothes, none of my books, nothing... She wanted to protest but since she was so high up in the air and relying on Vivi's goodwill she decided against it.

She felt Vivi loosened his grip on her and she heard him say, "Look down, Hana. There is your new home." He began to slowly circle his estate so she could get a good view of where she would be staying.

She did as he suggested and the sight took her breath away. "This is where you live?"

"Yes, I brought the summer house up from the demon world." He paused thoughtfully and then asked, "Do you like it?"

Hana was too absorbed in the scene before her to reply. Down beneath them, perched on the top of a hill was the largest mansion she saw in real life. No... It wasn't a mansion... it was a castle. High, white walls tapered into tall steeples covered in black tiles that rose from each of the four wings. There were an innumerable number of glass windows each adorned with a different colour drapery, and surrounding the castle was a beautifully kept garden. There was a long avenue of tall, robust trees which ended before a fountain in the main courtyard. Beyond the courtyard was the main entrance. Towards the back of Vivi's home were rows and beds of flowers. She was still too high up to see what kind they were but she saw red, pink, and white, yellow, blue and purple blossoms. Outside that was a dense forest which she then realized encompassed the entire hill.

Her heart soared within her and looking up at Vivi she smiled brilliantly. There it was again, that feeling of his chest tightening that he could not explain. He thought it best to land. Maybe I am more exhausted that I though. I was badly injured yesterday.

As he began to descend Hana became a little nervous and wound her hands around Vivi's neck. He looked down at her and realized what she must be feeling. He had just whisked her away from everything she knew and commanded her to live in a house full of demons. He touched down, but didn't relinquish his hold on her until he crossed the threshold of his manor. Wasn't there some sort of silly human tradition of carrying a bride over the threshold? He wondered absentmindedly. He almost laughed at his own thoughts. As if the great demon Duke Vivi would get married to a little human! "Hana we're here. You can open your eyes now."

Only then did she realize that they had entered the castle. "I am putting you down now." Gently be placed her on her feet and she removed her arms from around his neck, blushing slightly.

"Vivi-sama!" Toni said, "I am so glad that you're safe."

Vivi became rather irritated over his show of concern and comically kicked Toni in side making his stagger.

"Vivi!" Hana exclaimed.

"Of course I am Claus can't harm me!" He turned to Hana and asked innocently, "What?" She smiled slightly and shook her head.

"Oh... they sent Claus as well? Lucifer-sama must..."

"Toni! We will talk about this later." Vivi's tone was dangerous. Then he said in a lighter tone, "Toni, gather all the staff, we have a new addition to the family."

"Hai, Vivi-sama. At once!" Before he turned to leave he said, "Vivi-sama, you have a guest."

"What?" Only then did he realize that there was indeed an outsider's presence in the house. He was so occupied with Hana that he completely missed it.

"Come, Hana." He extended his hand to her and she sheepishly placed her hand in his and he led her into the main living room. It was quite large with a high ceiling and luxuriously furnished. The main set was a deep red colour and looked plush and unbelievably soft and inviting. Hana counted three ottomans, and 2 large coffee tables. On the walls were various portraits and paintings showing battle scenes and. Along the sides were a number of hutches filled with delicate, finely crafted china, delicate glassware or trophies and various other awards. Towards the back of the room with a coffee table filled with decadent pastries sat Vivi's guest.

"Velten, why are you here in my house, eating my food?"

"Vivi! Is that any way to treat your best friend?"

"When did who become your best friend?" Vivi asked rudely.

"Oh, how delightful!" Velten exclaimed as he rushed to Hana's side. "I am so happy that I could meet you again my beautiful princess!" For the umpteenth time today Hana blushed. What's happening to me? Being around these demons is making me into a high-school girl all over again. I'm not used to being complimented so much, and they're so handsome!

"Hana don't stand so close to Velten... Remember his stupidity!"

"Hana dearest," Velten said, ignoring Vivi and leading her to one of the sofas, "why don't you make yourself more comfortable?" He sat down a little too close to her for Vivi's liking and he swiftly found himself once again face down with Vivi's foot grinding into the back of his head.

"Didn't I tell you that it hurts when you do that?" he said in a muffled voice.

"Didn't I tell you not to mess with what's mine?" Vivi asked angrily.

"Vivi! I am not your property." Hana sounded annoyed. "And please don't treat Velten like that. He is just being friendly."

"I see that you caught his stupidity already." Taking his foot from Velten he turned to her and said, "As long as I am your guardian, you are mine. My little flower. Remember that!"

There was a knock on the door. When Vivi said "Enter.", Hana watched Toni lead a fleet of maids and servants in. There were 36 in all, not counting Toni, dressed in matching black and white uniforms. "We have a new resident starting today." Vivi said in clipped tones. "She is my honoured guest and shall be treated as such. You must only refer to her as Hana-sama. I will tolerate no disrespect or mistreatment. She may be a human, but in this house her rank will be subordinate only to mine. Have I made myself clear?"

"Yes, Vivi-sama." was the universal reply.

"Dismissed."

Toni stayed behind, "Welcome to our family, Hana."

"We must have a welcome party then." smiled Velten.

"That's a wonderful idea!" added Toni.

"A welcome party?" asked Hana. Was she really going to go along with this crazy idea? If she returned home, other demons might show up. Here she was at least she acquainted with the demons. She felt that she could trust Toni and Velten seemed harmless enough although he did come off as a womaniser. But Vivi... Vivi was... I am not sure about him. Now I'm in his house, completely at his mercy. And he keeps calling me his little flower. It makes me uneasy. Do I really have a choice? I am forced to trust him too. He doesn't seem evil, but his good looks and the charisma I felt earlier this morning is worrisome. Not to mention the way he makes me...

"You all want to throw a party?" Vivi sounded exhausted. "I am going to bed. Do what you all want, just don't disturb me. So troublesome!" And with that he left.

"I don't want to give you any trouble, Toni." She said disheartened that Vivi didn't seem interested.

"No, no. It's no trouble at all!" Taking a writing pad and pencil from his pocked, Toni asked, "So Hana, what would you like on the menu?"

"How about we keep it simple?" she replied, her mind working. "How about just a simple tea party?"

"Fantastic idea, Hana!" Velten said enthusiastically.

"Al right. Why don't you rest until it's ready? Let's have the party at 4 this afternoon." Toni offered.

"I guess?" What else could she do?

"Helga!" A maid seemed to miraculously appear out of thin air, "Would you, please, take Hana to the pink room?"

"Yes, of course." Turning towards Hana she said cheerfully, "Please follow me, Hana-sama."

This manor is huge thought Hana as she walked along a seemingly never ending corridor. She was lead up to the third floor and into an enormous bedroom. On the white walls vines of pink roses were painted. The curtains were baby pink and in the center was the largest bed she ever saw. It was a grand canopy bed surrounded by diaphanous pink curtains with thicker white and gold silk brocade draperies drawn at the four corners. To one side of the room were a cherry wood vanity and a large set of double doors.

The maid went over to the doors and opened it. "This is your walk-in closet and bathroom, Hana-sama." She followed the maid and saw an adjoining room. Beyond the mirrors, wardrobes, drawers and shelves was a full rose-pink bath.

"Your closet is empty for now, but Toni has sent some maids to do some emergency shopping for you. They will come back in three hours with clothes and toiletries to help you get ready. If there is anything else you may need, please do not hesitate to ask. You may ring this bell" She pointed to a small golden bell on the nightstand, "to summon a maid. If the clothing is not to your liking, we can also arrange for you to go shopping tomorrow morning."

"Thank you, Helga."

"Of course, Hana-sama. Is there anything else you need?" she smiled warmly.

"Will you come back with the other maids?"

"If that is what you wish. Please rest now, I will be back later."

Hana lay down on her bed, but she wasn't sure she would be able to rest. Her head swam with a million thoughts. What am I to do? What about my job and my patients? Helga seemed all right. These demons didn't fit her idea of an evil doing supernatural entity. Finally her thoughts settled in Vivi... He's so dark and mysterious... I don't understand what is going on here. Is he going to tell me? She closed her eyes and within minutes she was asleep. She was more tired than she realized.

A knock on her door woke her. "Hana-sama, may we come in?"

Sitting upright she replied, "Yes, of course."

A total of six maids entered, each carrying numerous boxes and bags. "Here are your things, Hana-sama." Helga said. "Shall we open them for you?"

Hana nodded dumbstruck by the sheer number of items they came in with. The maids seemed as excited as she was as they opened the boxes and bags. They fished out blouses, trousers, dresses, skirts, hats, hair accessories and all sorts of vanity items. Lip gloss and lip stick, fragrances, lotions, eye makeup, and even jewellery. Hana was completely overwhelmed. "Is there anything you like Hana-sama?"

She nodded silently. This must have cost a fortune.

"Shall we begin to put them away?" one of the maids asked.

"Yes." She found her voice.

"Firstly, let us choose what you'll be wearing for the tea party. What would you like?"

Hana looked about her at all the clothes. Something semi-formal I guess. "Do you think this is appropriate?" holding her choice up for the maids to see.

"A wonderful choice, Hana-sama!" Helga said reassuringly. All the other maids nodded in agreement. "While you shower, we'll choose matching jewellery and light makeup."

"Alright." Hana was encouraged by their response and their willingness to help.

By the time Hana showered and dressed and lead downstairs it was only a few minutes to 4. She was told that the party was being held in the back garden. Great! I'll get a look at the flower garden. As she made her way to the back of the manor she saw a set of large French windows through which she could clearly see the garden. But that was not what caught her attention. At the door she saw Vivi waiting, looking pensively at the floor. Her heartbeat quickened at the sight of him. He was all dressed up and looking quite handsome in a dark blue suit and a baby blue high collar shirt. At his throat was a dark blue ruffled cravat with a large pearl pin.

Swallowing nervously, she approached him. When her shoes left the carpet of the corridor and clicked on the tiles that lead to the door, Vivi was knocked out of his thoughts. He turned to look at her and breathed in sharply. Is that Hana? When did she become so beautiful? All he could do was stare at her.

Hana was dressed in a deep purple dress with a halter top which enhanced the curve and size of her breasts. It was fitted from the waist up, but flared out into an asymmetrical slightly frilly skirt that reached just above the knee on one side and mid-calf on the other. On the lower back was a nice medium sized bow. She completed her outfit with matching high-heeled slippers, hanging teardrop amethyst earrings and a simple gold necklace with a matching amethyst pendant. She was lightly made up with mascara that accentuated her large beautiful blue eyes and just a touch of lipstick. Her hair was swept up and gathered at the back of her head and adored with purple flowers, leaving the column of her neck exposed. "Vivi-sama... " she breathed out and looked at her shoes. It was all she could manage under his intense gaze. I wonder if I look okay.

"You look absolutely beautiful, Hana." She got an answer to her silent question. She looked up at him then, shocked at what he said and smiled.

"Do you really think so?"

"I won't repeat myself, Hana. But I also wouldn't lie about something like that."

"Thank you, Vivi-sama." she said shyly, blushing once again.

He offered her his arm. "Shall we go to your welcome to the family party?"

"Yes." Hana was surprised by what she was feeling at the moment. She actually felt happy. She was being welcomed into a family. For an orphan that was something worth celebrating about, even if it was a family of demons.

Note: Hey readers, would you please review so I know if you are enjoying the story. It is my first, but I welcome any constructive criticism.