Disclaimer: I do not own Hana to Akuma.

I know it has been an extremely long time, but I would really like to complete this story.

Chapter 37: Uncharacteristically

Gilbert waited until he heard Ayame lead Momo and Rosemary away from Tsubaki's room and undid his spell of Absolute Darkness. He stood rooted to the spot for a few minutes… wondering if this was really happening. Could it be that he was being given yet another chance at happiness? Should he further tempt faith by daring to believe that love could be his once again?

Was his fear and disbelief so overpowering that he could not move? Wasn't this what he was waiting for, for weeks? He should be breaking the door down to get to her. Slowly releasing the breath, he did not realize he was holding in, Gilbert silently entered the room. There, in the center of the bed lay Tsubaki. By Lucifer he missed her! Carefully, like he was treading through a dream, he approached the bed to get a better look at the woman who had effortlessly captured his heart. He watched in amazement as she slowly opened her eyes and lethargically smiled when the sight of him came into focus. Gilbert's heart leapt into his throat as he heard her whisper his name, her voice was dry and raspy from disuse.

Gilbert couldn't speak, and for the first time in almost two centuries he felt the prick of tears. But this time it was not tears of sadness, anger and loneliness. He couldn't remember ever feeling so happy and relieved. He wanted to crush her against his massive chest and kiss her senseless, but could clearly see how weak she still was. Tsubaki tried to sit up and placing a gentle hand on her shoulder he stopped her. He didn't trust himself to speak just yet so he just shook his head and a smile tugged at his lips.

"My darling… dis I worry you? I am sorry." Tsubaki whispered.

"Tsubaki…" he said and then uncharacteristically, Gilbert laughed. It was such a soft sound that if she had been any further away, Tsubaki would have not heard it. It flowed over her like velvet and her smile widened. Her feelings overwhelmed her and she couldn't help but shed a few tears. It was almost as if she did so in his stead as she knew he would never allow himself to show so much emotion.

"I like the sound of your laugh." She shifted slightly in the bed. "You should do it more often."

Bending at the waist he lowered his face to hers and placed a gentle, chaste kiss against her lips. Placing his lips next to her ears he whispered something he thought he might never get to say to her, "Tsubaki, I love you."

"I love you too, my darling demon."

"It will be dawn soon," Gilbert said after a few minutes, "I should leave you to rest."

"Come back once you're able and lie next to me." She said sleepily. "I don't want to be parted from you again."

Gilbert arrived back at the demon hideout just before dawn for a bath and a change of clothes. He would prepare breakfast, inform the others of what happened last night and return to Tsubaki's side.

"WHAT?" Vivi almost roared. "Rosemary and that annoying brat are here?"

"Vivi-sama," Gilbert said evenly, "there is no need to shout." It was now the butler's turn to become annoyed and his words suddenly became icy, "If it wasn't for that brat, Tsubaki would still be in a coma."

"When will we be able to see Tsubaki?" Hana asked excitedly.

Seeing Hana's smile return and the truth of Gilbert's words did calm Vivi's annoyance a bit. Nevertheless, he didn't like having to deal with Rosemary, not now of all times.

"Perhaps in a day or two she will be well enough for visitors. But I am not sure." Gilbert replied. His voice softened when talking to this little human. Gilbert mused to himself, My interactions with these humans is slowly changing me.

"I will take my leave now," he told them.

When he left Hana said, with a silly smile on her face, "He's going to see Tsubaki."

Vivi groaned. "I am sure that brat and Rosemary are going to accompany him back."

Velten suddenly joined breakfast. "Rosemary came all the way here?"

"Urgh… another idiot showed up…" Vivi rubbed his temples.

Velten laughed out loud and Vivi glared at him. "Shouldn't you be seeing to your fiancé?"

Velten looked away shamefully. "She's still sleeping and besides… I don't think she will want to see me." Velten suddenly didn't feel like having breakfast. "I am going for a walk." As he exited the cottage Vivi wondered for the umpteenth time why Velten didn't just break of the engagement. Then again… Shouldn't I have at least given Rosemary the same consideration? He wondered to himself. At least I didn't shame her name. And for the umpteenth time since coming to Avalon, Vivi sighed.

"Stop sighing, Vivi! You will lose all your happiness that way." Hana pointed her finger at him.

Smiling lopsidedly, he grabbed her around the waist and kissing the side of her neck said, "Not as long as I have you, my little flower." Now that I am sure of my love for Hana, I will do what is right by Romemary. Vivi silently vowed. I will do it as soon as I see her.

Velten walked into the nearby field deep in thought. He knew he had treated Eleanor abominably for so long but he just wasn't ready for marriage. He shuddered at the thought of being bound to one female for the rest of this life. He needed the excitement and the novelty of having a new lover every few weeks or months. Still, there was no excuse for hurting her the way he did. Velten felt wretched about that. While he wasn't in love with her, he did care for her.

S*S*S*S*S*S

Rosemary was being impossibly impatient and petulant and Ayame had enough. It seemed like Momo had become immune to Rosemary's antics for the most part but the demoness was demanding to see Vivi since she arrived. Gilbert refused to leave Tsubaki's side since his arrival this morning so Ayame felt comfortable enough to leave her resting friend in his care and win back her peace of mind by getting her guests out of her home.

"It's a long walk." Ayame told them. "Do you two ride?"

"Of course I ride." Announced the demoness.

"I don't." Momo sounded embarrassed. "Never been on a horse."

"You can ride with me, Peach." Rosemary stated.

Ayame laughed lightly, "Well isn't this a reversal of gender roles." Momo's face reddened at her comment and it only made her laugh more. Rosemary on the other hand was stoic and silent.

"Thank you, Rosemary." Momo finally said, his cheeks still blazing.

Ayame told them, "We leave in half an hour. The horses will be saddled and out in front."

Rosemary offered, "Let the horses be ready in 30 minutes, but we shall leave in 45. This brat needs to learn how to mount a horse, at the very least."

"Hmmm…" Ayame smiled. "Very considerate of you." she told Rosemary who didn't miss the mischief in the woman's eyes.

Rosemary instructed Momo on how to mount. She couldn't help but laugh at his struggles and that made him even more embarrassed. "I will demonstrate." She finally said.

When he finally mounted, Rosemary agilely jumped up and sat behind him. Reaching around Momo's waist, she grabbed the horse's reigns. Momo was so very uncomfortable with his proximity to Rosemary. He could feel the heat of her body through his shirt. He tried to sit ram rod straight but, much to his chagrin, as the horse began to move he couldn't stop his back from touching her body.

"Whoa, boy." the Viscountess said to the horse, bringing him to a stop. She slowly leaned into Momo until her breasts touched his back and whispered softly his right ear, "Try to relax." He could almost see her smile. She loved teasing him. He was so obviously a virgin and such easy prey. But her next words were said seriously, "The horse will smell your fear and it will become skittish. You don't want the horse to throw you off, do you?"

Momo was too aware of how Rosemary's body was pressed up against him to make a reply.

"Just lean back against me." She told him evenly. "It's much safer that way." Was it just him, or did she actually lose her mocking tone? Was she actually being sincere?

It was difficult for Momo to admit feeling attraction for a female. Not that Rosemary was female you could readily get attracted to, but the time they spent together he started seeing her softer facets. He almost laughed. Almost… Her softer facets. He didn't mean her breasts, which were pressed up against this back. What he was thinking about was a more generous personality which sometimes peeked through her cold, teasing, stuck up exterior.

He wasn't supposed to give in to any temptation. But just this once maybe he could just let himself relax as she suggested. He had felt attraction for women before but never acted on it, and at this moment he was just too exhausted to fight anything anymore. Administering the treatment to Tsubaki had taken quite a bit of energy.

When they arrived at the cottage, Vivi and Hana had just come back from a walk. Velten was still out.

"Vivi!" Rosemary shouted as soon as she reached the front steps. "I have business to discuss with you."

Vivi's expression was dark. His wore deeply furrowed brows and a scowl which would melt a lesser demon into whimpering away. Not only was he stuck here in Avalon but this place just kept getting better and better. "What do you want, Rosemary?" he demanded.

Rosemary looked him up and down and sarcastically commented. "Nice to see you looking so well."

"You didn't come all this way to tell me that." Vivi cocked an eyebrow at her.

With a haughty look, the demoness tipped her chin up and looked at the Duke straight in the eyes. "I have come to break off our engagement."

Vivi held her gaze. He was impressed. "You will get no argument from me."

"Good!" she nodded. "Now, what's for dinner?"

Vivi groaned in response. "Gilbert is out so right now, so nothing."

"Well I am sure Gilbert-dono has the pantry very well stocked." Rosemary said passing by Vivi to enter the house. "Dinner should be easy."

Momo and Ayame watched the pair of demons silently. Ayame smiled. She liked strong women. Momo looked pensive. He understood that this was the best way for her to save face, but still he was impressed by her courage and candor. When they first met he saw how adamant she was to hold on to Vivi, or rather his title and the power and prestige that came with it. He'd wager that maybe Rosemary finally realized that she deserved something better than a fiancé who didn't have any affection for her and who would abandon her without a backward glance.

Vivi turned to the other two visitors and gesturing to the open door said, "Don't sit there all day. Come along and join this crazy party."

"Is the butler watching over Tsubaki?" Vivi wanted to know.

"Yes," Ayame answered, "I would not have left her alone otherwise."

Vivi nodded. He didn't quite understand humans but he had respect for the bond that could develop between them.

As soon as Momo was through the front door Hana threw her arms around him. "I am so happy that you are here!" she chirped. "Did you come here looking for us?"

"Oi!" complained Vivi. "Don't get so close to the brat. You might catch his stupidity."

"Oh Vivi! Don't say that!" Hana giggled.

Momo ignored Vivi and replied to Hana, "You all were late getting back so I knew something was wrong. I was so relieved to see you well. But, Hana… you must be more careful. Ayame told me what happened."

"Momo, let's talk about that later." Hana changed topics to ask, "How come you brought Rosemary with you?"

"She apparently came here to end her engagement with that demon." Momo watched as Hana's expression changed from disbelief and astonishment to relief.

Hana then grew concerned. "Is she unhappy about it?" Momo always wondered if there was a limit to Hana's empathy.

Momo shook her head. "She doesn't love Vivi. I don't think she ever did."

"Oh…" She still sounded sorry.

"It was an arranged engagement. Must have been for political reasons." Momo surmised out loud. "She seems to be a very strong and accomplished demoness."

"Momo," Hana turned to him, "you just complimented Rosemary." She mock punched him and asked, "Do you like her?"

"Wh- what?" Momo became nervous. "Of course not!" He almost shouted.

"Hey!" Vivi yelled from the inner sitting room. "You guys keep it down!"

"But Vivi!" Hana pouted. "You're being louder than everyone else!"

Turning to Ayame she said, "Ayame-san, Eleanor collapsed from exhaustion yesterday. As far as I can tell, she should be ok, but I would like to have another opinion. Could you, please, take a look?"

"Yes, of course! Where is she?" When Ayame and Hana turned to go upstairs, Momo went in the same direction Rosemary had taken.

Rosemary wasn't there but on the table someone had placed various vegetables and a huge slab of venison. There were three gashes running diagonally along the meat. Like claw marks. Did the demons hunt this themselves? he wondered. Moving to the opposite end of the kitchen he looked around for the entrance to a pantry. There was only one door besides the one he just walked through and he opened it in search of the demoness.

"Viscountess…?" he called as he peered around the open door, the knob still clutched in his hand.

"Yes, what is it, Peach?" She was reaching for a jar of something on the uppermost shelf. She wasn't tall enough and the pantry was too small for her to spread her wings.

"Here… allow me." He said as he positioned himself behind her but not too close. He didn't want to risk touching her again. He didn't quite appreciate what being too close to her did to his physical body. And to make matters worse she was very aware of the effect she had on his male anatomy and loved to tease him about it.

He was almost half a foot taller than her and he easily reached the jar. "Here." Placing his arm around her body, but without touching her, he presented it to her. Rosemary was still caught between him and the shelf. He meant to move away as soon as she took it from him but instead of reaching for what he offered her, she suddenly turned around to face him and looked up into his face. Still clutching the bottle, he backed away from her until his body was flush against the rows of shelves behind him.

Rosemary closed the distance between then and did something very uncharacteristic. She placed her right hand on his left forearm, still holding his gaze. She saw his lips part in surprise but before he could say anything she asked, "Why are you always kind to me?"

Again, there it was again. Sincerity. Her voice lacked the teasing tone she almost always used with him.

After considering her question for a few seconds he finally replied, "You have given me no reason to be unkind to you. It is true you annoy me sometimes and seem to take pleasure in embarrassing me, but you have not been vindictive to me in any way."

Her hand fell away from his forearm and she pressed her lips together. She wasn't satisfied with that answer. Looking away she sighed. Shaking her head, she said, "That's not it… You're so pure that you don't know how to be unkind."

"I don't… That's not…" Momo trailed off unsure of how to respond especially since her use of the word 'pure' really bothered him for some reason.

"I have seen you angry, but you don't seem to have any evil tendencies at all." Finally taking the bottle from his hand she moved to reenter the kitchen. Turning her head slightly over her shoulder she said, "Thank you for brining me here. I don't like having unfinished business and I needed to end this farce of an engagement."

Momo moved before he knew what he was doing. Grabbing unto her wrist he said with downturned lips, "I am sorry he treated you that way." Seeing the shocked expression on her face made him instantly release her hand. "I apologize…"

But she didn't admonish him. Her brows just furrowed and turning away from him, she proceeded out of the pantry leaving Momo there confused as to why he said what he did. Maybe it was because she was being open and honest with me? He wondered to himself. She took him by surprise. He never expected to be thanked by her. A few moments later he heard her ask, "So are you going to help me prepare dinner or are you just going to sulk in the pantry?"

Smiling without embarrassment this time he went to the table and asked, "What do you need help with?"

"You can start with cutting those vegetable over there." Then she asked, "Do you think you can handle making some sort of dessert?"

"My pies are legendary!" Momo proclaimed.

"Well there are quite a bit of fresh apples and cranberries and there might be enough sugar…" Then Rosemary added, "I can't do flakey pastries. Never could."

Momo was a little astonished by how much Rosemary was speaking to him and without a bored or teasing tone. She even admitted shortcomings. Not wanting to read too much into it, he just pushed his thoughts away.

"I could teach you, if you like." Momo offered. "This time just observe the technique. Tomorrow we can practice."

"Hmm. Alright." She said and turned back to seasoning the venison.

Momo wasn't sure what happened, but it seemed that Rosemary had suddenly become much more agreeable for some reason.

The most delicious smells wafted through the house from the kitchen. Pot roasted venison glazed with honey and jam paired with an assortment of baked vegetable smothered with butter. As Rosemary placed the finishing touches on her dishes, Momo removed his apple and cranberry pie from the oven. At some point Hana went in, determined to help them but when she saw how well Rosemary and Momo seemed to be working together she decided not to disturb them.

Dinner was an interesting event. Velten had returned and joined them but he was still pensive and uncommunicative. In fact, it seemed like no one was in the mood to talk much and Vivi couldn't be more pleased. After asking Ayame when she thought Tsubaki would be well enough to lead them out of Avalon, he had nothing more to say. Hana complimented Rosemary on her cooking skills and smiled so widely at the demoness that Rosemary shot her a nonplussed look.

There weren't any available bedrooms at the cottage and no one besides Hana was willing to share rooms. Vivi forbade that, of course. So Momo and Rosemary would have to return to Ayame's. Ayame threatened with kicking them both out if another war of words erupted between them. Momo sighed in response and the demoness said, "Your house, your rules."

"Thank you, Rosemary." Ayame smiled. Adopting a naughty tone she added, "I am sure now that you two aren't bickering anymore, you could find something much more enjoyable to do together."

Velten almost choked on his carrots and potatoes while Hana giggled and Vivi almost rolled his eyes. Momo shifted uncomfortably in his chair and avoided Rosemary's eyes which he could feel settle on him. "While Momo is quite good looking, I am sure I would require much more entertainment that he is capable of supplying." The demoness said evenly.

"Hmmm, is that so? Too bad for Momo." Ayame said in a disappointed tone.

Clearing his throat noisily Momo said, "Ayame-san, please..."

Ayame laughed, "Momo-san, if you don't want women to tease you, then stop being such an irresistible target. You're much too cute when you blush!" While her logic was sound, Momo didn't quite know how to do that. For goodness sake, he was a virgin and an angel to boot! He just sighed.

Once dinner was concluded Ayame and Velten settled into a conversation and Hana asked Vivi to help her clear the table and do the dishes. For a couple of minutes Rosemary's attention was drawn to the two in the kitchen. She could clearly hear Hana laughing. Part of her grew jealous. Not because of Vivi but because she could not think of anyone who could make her laugh like that. She didn't realize that Momo noticed her change in expression.

For just a second Momo saw Rosemary's eyes flash angrily and her jaw clench at the sound of laughter before it was replaced with her normal, cool, poker face. Thinking that Rosemary may indeed have some feelings for Vivi, Momo decided it best that they leave right away. "Ayame, Viscountess, we should get going. There are only a few minutes of daylight left."

Ayame nodded and tuned back to Velten to say a quick goodnight before moving towards the front door. Velten decided to retire for the night.

Rosemary replied to Momo and her mocking tone was back, "Are you afraid of the dark, Peach?"

He wouldn't allow the jibe to get to him, "No, but it would be best to return before nightfall." He started following Ayame out.

"Don't worry," she smiled sweetly at him, "I will protect you from things that go bump in the night."

Momo smiled and turned back to Rosemary. He decided that maybe he could fight fire with fire. Uncharacteristically, he approached her and bending at the waist so he could whisper in her ear, "Maybe I will protect you."

Suddenly Rosemary burst out laughing making him straighten back to his full height. "You? Protect me? But you're just a piece of fruit. Nice and sweet and tender."

"You never know… you might enjoy something nice, sweet and tender for a change." He tried to hold her gaze and almost couldn't. Inwardly he baulked at his own words.

"Hmmm…" she turned away from him to exit the cottage. To herself she thought… Maybe I might…but then to Momo's embarrassment she laughed out loud again. What he could not guess what that her amusement was for a different reason. He's trying to flirt in kind? He's such a hopeless boy! She thought.

At least her mood has improved, Momo mused to himself.

Momo called out just before exiting to the porch, "Hana, we are leaving."

"Okay! See you tomorrow!" came the cheerful reply from the kitchen and Momo closed the door behind him.

"Urgh! Tomorrow?" Vivi felt like he was already getting a headache.

"I am looking forward to returning home soon." Hana said as she handed Vivi a plate to dry.

"That can't come fast enough for me." Vivi commented. "Hn… Gilbert didn't return, did he? I wish Toni was here to take care of breakfast tomorrow morning."

Hana giggled. "You can always ask Rosemary and Momo over. Their food was really, really good!"

"Oi! The less I see of them, the better!" Vivi groaned.

Hana giggled again. "Breakfast is easy. I can do it if Gilbert doesn't come back."

Tossing the towel on the kitchen table, Vivi suddenly grabbed Hana from behind, bringing her body flush against his. She squealed in delight as the spoons she was holding clattered noisily into the sink.

Vivi placed a kiss on her neck and then started nibbling on her ear.

"Vivi!" She breathed. "That feels so good!" she moaned.

"Oh Hana…" his voice was husky. "I don't know how much longer I can resist you."

The woman trembled in his arms. "I know Vivi…I… I feel the same." Turning to face him she continued in a shy, small voice, "Vivi...?"

"Yes, my flower?"

"I… I want to…" she couldn't quite summon the courage to say it. "Vivi… will you…" She paused again.

"Please Hana, tell me. Don't be afraid to tell me what you want." Vivi needed to hear her say it. He really wasn't going to take advantage of a virgin, human female. She must state her desires clearly.

Taking a steadying breath Hana blurted out the words before she lost her nerve. "Will you make love to me, Vivi?"

Vivi's heartbeat quickened at her words. Was she really giving me permission to ravish her? He could feel himself getting hard and tried to pull away a little, but Hana clung to him. He would have to be gentle with her. Her first time must not be painful or frightening. He kissed her then. He tried for it to be gentle, but when he felt Hana's tongue run along his lips, he lost his control. Hungrily he took her mouth. His tongue relentlessly sought hers, teasing and stroking. Hana moaned and kissed him back with equal vigour. His hands caressed down her back and then over her round bottom. Cupping her buttocks, he raised her unto the table, never breaking his kiss.

When she was safely sitting on the table he let his hands roam. Placing his palms against her breasts, he roughly cupped their softness. He kissed down her throat as nimble fingers unbuttoned her blouse and pushed her bra away. Hana moaned and arched her back as Vivi's mouth found her right nipple. Her left nipple was being deliciously tortured with dexterous fingers. "Oh- Oh God… Viviiii…." She breathed out shakily. One arm extended behind her, supporting her body with her palm flat against the table. Her other palm was behind Vivi's head, keeping his lips and mouth locked on her breast. She involuntarily parted her thighs as a wet heat pooled between them, allowing Vivi to get even closer to her.

Vivi could smell her arousal and it drove him mad. By Lucifer! He wanted to take her right there in the kitchen. In his mind he saw her flat against the table with her clothes shredded away from her body, her legs parted and waiting for him. The junction of her legs dewy and ready for him. Within seconds he could be buried deep inside her, thrusting hard into her, listening to her cries of pleasure… But the pleasure would be after pain and he wouldn't do that to her. He couldn't!

Her first time shouldn't be like that. He needed to regain some semblance of control. Hana wasn't resisting him now. She wasn't afraid or nervous anymore, but he couldn't allow himself to fuck her senseless her right there in the kitchen where anyone might walk in. Her first time should be gentle and drawn out with a lot of foreplay. He knew how large he was and he needed her completely ready before he entered her.

Vivi bit his inside cheek until it bled. That prick of pain brought him back to his senses a bit. When he lifted his head from her body the sight of her naked breasts wet from his mouth and her lips swollen from his kisses, almost made him come undone again. Hana tried to drag him back to her, but he resisted. Shaking his head to clear it he said shakily, "No, my darling. Not like this."

"But Vivi…"

He cut her off. "No, not on a table, me ravishing you like a starving man. I want you comfortable in my bed where I can make love to you properly over the course of an entire night."

Hana was disappointed, but she understood. She knew that first time sex could be painful if the man rushed it. And he wasn't even a man. She looked down and saw a very sizeable bulge in his pants and knew that if he took her now it would hurt and hurting her was the last thing he wanted to do. She sighed. "Make it very soon…"