I couldn't help my yawns as I stood in between the girls and Night Class during crossover. They were inching closer and closer but I was too tired to warn them off. Frankly, I'm surprised I'm still standing. I yawned again, just wishing that I could go back to bed.

"Mana?"

I turned to see Shiki lingering behind me. I was about to indicate for him to go to class but my eyelids were heavy and I didn't have the energy to wave him off. Shiki continued standing there, earning some admiration from his fangirls and lots of frustration on my part. He leaned in closer and I backed off when he grabbed my chin. He ducked his head and forced me into meeting his mismatched eyes. I felt a little surprise at this knowledge. I never really got good looks at the Night Class, I hadn't realised Shiki's eyes were mismatched. It intrigued but scared me. He was too close. It was like the whole world around us had disappeared as he leaned in closer.

"Yes, you're Mana."

His voice echoed and I began regretting crying rather than sleeping all night last night. My eyelids began to get very heavy when he let go of my chin and I was left stumbling for balance. Suddenly more and more voices were rushing around my head and I was holding my head to try and get it to focus. The girls were screaming, I could just about discern Yuki and Zero's voices and then Kuran's and then… I began to feel sicker and sicker as I stumbled around on my feet. The voices grew louder, their words grew more distorted and I couldn't see ahead for very far. Everything was spinning and suddenly, my head ached when hands grabbed my shoulders. I looked up and I saw fangs before losing all sanity. I reached for Pearl Beauty only to find she wasn't there. So I lashed out and thrust all my strength to push the vampire away. His grip loosened and I saw wine coloured eyes before lifting my fists and slamming them on his chest.

Finally, he was gone and I was moving backwards, still finding balance and facing more and more haunting and distorted faces and voices. I was afraid, very afraid. It was like a terrible nightmare. I fell over, still moving away from them. Then when all energy had gone, I curled up, covered my ears and squeezed my eyes shut, wishing for everything to go away. I was scared, terrified, I just want to go home and…and…

"Ssh, ssh…"

I felt a warm, gentle hand on my head and a tender voice that made me feel calm. It began stroking my head as my body began to feel lighter. The voice cooed and crooned, allowing me to relax more and more.

"With me here, you are safe, Mana. My treasure, relax."

The words were soothing and I felt that I was lying on a cushioned surface, my head cradled in the lap of a stranger. His hand was still caressing my head, making me feel safe. I dared to open my eyes and saw my room. Except it wasn't my room. I saw my piano which was kept in my rehearsal room. I saw my vanity and mirror covered with jewellery which I don't recall owning. And I saw a dog bed but to my knowledge I don't own a dog. This must be a dream version of my room. It's what I wish my room looked like.

I propped myself up as I looked around the room more. My bed felt softer than it normally did and I glanced up at the man who was with me. He looked rather familiar but I couldn't quite see why I would think that. His mismatched eyes smiled down at me as he brushed back some hair that had fallen in front of my face.

"Mana…"

"Who are you?"

I covered my mouth in surprise. But then again this is a dream. I could talk if I dreamt it. The man looked amused at my surprise and looked around.

"You don't dream of much, do you?"

"Please tell me, who are you?"

He smiled down at me as I sat properly on the bed, making sure not to get too close to him.

"Rido Kuran."

"Kuran?!"

That's where the familiarity came from. I shot off the bed and was at the door, keeping a close eye on him.

"You're a vampire then?"

He shrugged and I began grasping for Pearl Beauty. But she still wasn't where I kept her, I nearly ripped my skirt off to look for her.

"You don't need a weapon, I can't hurt you."

I've seen Nightmare on Elm Street, I'm not easily fooled! Then again that isn't real but I still feel jumpy.

"What do you want?"

"I wanted to meet you, Mana. My nephew is very interested in you. I'm curious."

"N-Nephew?"

"Kaname Kuran."

I bristled and flattened myself against the wall behind me.

"He's not interested in me, not as much compared to…"

I stopped talking and looked away, not really wanting to talk about Yuki. Not in front of him anyway, I didn't quite trust him.

"Your sister is a lovely young lady…"

I looked and dared to meet his eyes.

"but doesn't have…bite."

He flashed his fangs and I pressed myself more into the wall.

"She isn't…broken."

"I'm not broken."

I had said that a little too quickly. Rido smirked.

"She…isn't interesting."

My heart stopped as Rido reached towards the pillows and pulled a teddy bear out. He set it on his lap and smiled a little wider.

"Mana, would you like this?"

"A teddy bear?"

It was a cute teddy bear. Beige, black button eyes and it looked soft with floppy arms.

"It's sweet, isn't it? Adorable."

"I don't need a teddy bear, I'm not five years old."

"Mana, your dreams reveal all. You would like this, no matter how old you are."

I shook my head.

"It belongs here, in my dreams."

"What's wrong with achieving dreams?"

"My dreams are ridiculous. Laughable. Pathetic."

Rido set the teddy bear down and rose from the bed. He walked forward and stopped a pace away from me.

"I don't think so."

"Mana?"

We looked at the door as it began knocking. My heart leapt. It was Zero's voice. I felt an ache in my chest as the knocking continued.

"Mana, are you in there?"

I flinched as Rido's hand brushed against my cheek.

"Mana?"

"Dreams are there to be achieved, Mana."

"Mana, can I come in?"

My heart was aching more and more as I continued to hear Zero's voice and my room began to grow darker.

"Mana, it's getting cold, are you warm enough?"

"Dreams make you who you are, Mana. And I like who you are."

He was too close to me, I could feel his breath brushing past my cheek.

"You are the most interesting human I've ever met."

"Mana!"

I shot straight up and grabbed Yuki's shoulders when I saw her. She jumped, freezing and watching me with frightened eyes. I let out a surprised breath and fell back onto my bed, clutching my racing heart.

"You scared me," Yuki breathed.

I had a scary dream. I glanced at my bedside clock, seeing that it was morning now. I propped myself up again, stretching my body out and smiling.

"Sleep well?" my sister teased and I just nodded.

Despite the disturbing dream, I felt well rested, really, really well rested. I got up and practically bounced over to put my uniform on. Or a fresh set of uniform anyway.

"Are you feeling alright?"

I turned to look at Yuki's concerned face. I nodded and she shifted on the spot.

"You didn't look very well yesterday," she said.

Well I feel better now, all I needed was a good rest. Yuki seemed to ease up as I wrote a quick note to reassure her that I was fine.

"I was worried."

I hugged her tightly, to give her more reassurance. She hugged back and we pulled away.

"You're in a good mood," she giggled and I shrugged, practically skipping downstairs for breakfast.

I just felt energised. Like I was ready to take the day by storm.

"Ah, my baby Mana~!"

I darted out of the way as Kaien barrelled towards me from the kitchen to try and hug me. OK, I'm not that out of it, old man. Zero was already at the breakfast table and I ignored him, taking my seat to eat the decently made breakfast in front of me.

"Oh, Mana, a package arrived for you~!"

I glanced up at Kaien who presented a parcel to me. There was no postmark or any other indication about where it had come from. It had been hand delivered. I looked at Kaien then Zero and finally Yuki who was the most curious. I took a closer look at the label. There was just my name. No address, no surname, just my name. I shook the box. It didn't feel heavy. I felt suspicious immediately.

"What's wrong, weren't you expecting it?"

Yeah, I was expecting a random package from a stranger. I rolled my eyes at my sarcasm and tore the wrapping paper off. The box looked plain and I lifted the lid. Suddenly my happy mood plummeted and a cold dread took hold of my stomach.

"Mana, what is it?"

It was a beige teddy bear. It had black button eyes and its arms were floppy. And when I picked it up to set it on my lap, it was soft. And an uneasy bubble of happiness was growing in my chest.