I was on my way back to Hatter Mansion, my headphones in, music blasting in my ears. I yawned, starting to get drowsy. Maybe I should have stayed at the Castle, I thought, but quickly shook off the thought. I scrolled through my iPod, trying to find something else to listen to. I stopped on Roisin Murphy, a small grin pulling across my face. I hit play, and immediately started dancing and singing.

"You better stop! Ya gotta think! Look whatcha doin', oh Ruby! You never get together, cause you forgot to take it to the top! Oh Ruby Blue!

"Why do you make it start, with no means to go on, it's on the tip of your...Ruby, we used to love you truly, you used to make us laugh! Really was a gas! But now you're a bore. One, two, three, but now you're a bore. To them, and me. Look what you do, oh Ruby Blue~" I was smiling brightly as I sang and danced, enjoying the music. I did flips, cart-wheels, anything that would fit. I closed my eyes, still dancing, when someone grabbed my hand, placing their other free hand on my lower back and tipping me. My eyes widened in surprise, and it took me a moment to register who it was.

"So she sings and she dances," Blood purred, smirking at me. I hadn't even noticed I had made it back to the Mansion. I blinked, then narrowed my eyes dangerously at him.

"Let me go. Now," I growled. He chuckled, then set me upright, but refused to let go. Instead, he started into a slow waltz.

"So," he started, "why didn't you come talk to me when I asked?" More like demanded... I thought, smirking.

"You simply needed to learn that I come when I please," I answered, dancing with him.

"How was your little visit to the Castle?"

"Fine," I stopped, grinning as I moved closer to his ear, "your sister seems nice." That got his attention. All I did was blink and I was suddenly pressed against the front gate, Blood's fingers wrapped around my throat. I smirked at him.

"You really gonna try and kill me? Or did you forget I survived a bullet to the lung earlier," I taunted, my smirk growing.

"I didn't forget. That's why I'm doing this," he replied. Then he did the one thing I didn't expect to happen; he kissed me. My eyes went wide, and I could feel a blush start to spread along my face. I don't know how long he kissed me, but when he pulled away, i was breathless. His face stayed near my own, so I could feel his breath on my lips. I stared into his emerald eyes, my face flushed as I tried to catch my breath.

"...Wow, uh, what the hell was that?" I asked. He smirked and moved close again, lightly brushing his lips on my own, making me shiver.

"Just my way of saying 'thank you' for what you did earlier," he said, his voice slightly husky. I shivered as his teeth grazed my ear. Suddenly, he let go, and I could see the smirk on his face.

"Rest well young lady," he said, waving nonchalantly as he walked back into the mansion. My yes were wide, my face beat red, and I had to hold onto the gate to stand up. After a few moments, I got angry, and stormed inside. Who does he think he is? I thought angrily as I walked to my room, frowning. I slammed the door shut, but was still mindful so it wouldn't splintered and/or possibly break right off its hinges. I fell onto the bed, grabbing a pillow and hugging it while curling into a ball. My eyes started to drift shut, and soon I was fast asleep...

Hm? Where am I? I thought as I opened my eyes and glanced around. It was like I was standing in the night sky, and there was multi-colored gas floating around.

"Finally come to see me, eh?" A voice lulled. I whipped around to see a man floating at least two feet off the ground.

"And you are?" I asked, looking up at his face while crossing my arms in annoyance.

"I am Nightmare, a dream demon," he answered, bowing slightly as he introduced himself.

"Dream demon? So, what, like an incubus?" I asked out loud.

"In a sense. Certainly no the kind you're thinking of," he grinned. I blushed. How did he...?

"I can read your mind, Miss Ari~" he explained, and I instantly put up my mental walls, making him pout.

"So...Is it even possible to have two dreams at once?" I asked. He grinned again.

"That's right. This is all but a dream," he said eerily, making me tilt my head in confusion.

"Okaaay, so how do I wake up?" I asked.

"When you complete the game..." he answered, starting to vanish.

"Wah! Wait! NIGHMARE!" i shouted as I felt myself start to wake up...

I sat up in bed, my eyes wide open. I ran my fingers through my hair, letting out a shaky sigh. I moved to get up, goosebumps rising on my flesh when my bare feet touched the cold floor. My stomach growled, and I stood up, patting my stomach. Gotta be some food around here somewhere... I thought as I walked out of the room and into the hallway. I began to wander, not really paying attention, and I ended up walking into the kitchen. I began to look around for something to eat, settling on a slice of carrot cake in the fridge. I looked around the kitchen again for a plate and fork, my stomach growling again. I started humming as I searched, smiling lightly when I found the things I was looking for. I cut a slice then plopped it onto the plate, putting the rest of the cake in the fridge. I jumped up onto the counter, putting my ears buds in and swinging my feet, being careful not to kick the counter on accident. I started nomming on the cake, closing my eyes and humming to the song I was listening to.

"Hello?" I heard. i opened one eye and looked at the owner of the voice. What I saw was Elliot standing in the doorway still in his pajamas, yawning.

"Hey Elliot~" I greeted, smiling.

"Mornin'. When did you get back here?" he asked, walking over to the fridge and getting his own slice of cake.

"Pretty late. Everyone was asleep, I think," I answered, moving to the side as Elliot leaned on the counter next to me, eating his cake.

"I heard a loud 'bang' last night, though," Elliot mused, "you know anything about it?" I nearly choked on my cake. Elliot jumped up and ran to get me glass of water. I took it from him when he gave it to me, then took a sip, clearing my throat.

"Heh, yeah, 'bout that. That was me slamming my door," I answered awkwardly.

"What happened?"

"Not much. Just ticked off."

"Peter?"
"Yeah..." Which wasn't entirely a lie...

"Understandable. Bastard's always callin' me a rabbit!"

"But you're not. Same species, different breed," I explained, shrugging.

"R-really?"

"Yup."

"Ari, you're a good person," he said, smiling sweetly.

"Aw. Thank you~" I said, hopping off the counter and giving him a hug. A small blush formed on his face, but he hugged me back.

"So uh, what do you plan on doing today?" he asked, pulling back to look at me.

"Not too sure yet. Probably just lounge around here today," I answered, shrugging.

"Cool. I guess I'll see ya around," Elliot said before walking out of the kitchen.

"See ya later!" I called after him. I turned back to take care of the dishes to find them gone. I shook my head, not wanting to know, then walked out of the kitchen back to my room. I shut the bedroom door behind me, then collapsed on the bed, wondering about what I was going to do today. After about a minute, I got back out of bed and walked around the halls, ending up in that room full of books. I skimmed over the titles, grabbing a book that deemed interesting, then sat down on the couch, leaning back and flipping open the book. After awhile, I became too comfortable, and started dozing off. I shifted slightly in my seat, getting more comfortable. I had just barely fallen asleep when I felt something get thrown over me. I opened my eyes and saw Blood sitting at his desk, looking over papers. I looked down and saw a blanket over me. I looked up again and saw Blood staring at me.

"...Can I help you?" I asked, lifting a brow.

"I wasn't aware I wasn't allowed to look," he countered, smirking, "and this is my office. I should be asking what you're doing in here."

"Nothing scandalous, I assure you," I replied, rolling my eyes, "I came here to read." I waved the book in my hand as proof. He snorted and rolled his eyes at me, turning back to his paperwork. I looked away from him and turned to the page I left off on before I fell asleep. I kept glancing up at him as he worked, until her eventually caught me looking.

"Pray tell, is there something on my face?" he asked, lifting a brow and smirking. I felt my face get warmer.

"N-no. I just feel like I might be bothering you," I mumbled, looking away. I heard him chuckle, then stand from his desk.

"It's quite alright. I loathe doing paperwork," he said, sitting next to me, "you serve as a good distraction."

"I'm not sure if I should be flattered or insulted..." I said, narrowing my eyes and turning back to my book.

"Trust me when I say it's a good thing." His arm wrapped around my waist while his other hand grabbed my chin, turning my face towards his. My eyes went wide when his lips touched my own, pulling me closer. The book in my hand fell to the floor with a soft thump, completely forgotten. Eventually, I closed my eyes and leaned into the kiss, my hand going to his shoulders. I felt him smirk, then move me so i was on my back. I broke the kiss with a gasp, my hand on his chest now. I squirmed under him when he started kissing my neck, shivering when he nipped at the sensitive skin. His left hand lightly moved up my thigh from my knee, moving up the hem of my dress. I tilted my head back...

And Elliot walked in.

Blood and i looked up at the door, and my face went completely red. I pushed Blood off of me and ran out of the room, covering my blushing face. I ran straight out of the building and towards the Amusement Park. When I got there, I found it was...really...hot. I rested my hands on my knees, trying to catch my breath. Something whizzed past me, then I was suddenly sprayed with a water gun, getting my head and shoulder soaked.

"Gah! Ari?" Boris yelped, running towards me. I stared daggers at him when I saw the water gun in his hands, and he flinched back.

"Heh heh, uh, sorry about that..." he grimaced, holding up his hands in surrender. I sighed, the grinned wickedly.

"Of course you realize, dis, means war. Now, show me where I can get a bathing suit around here~"

Author's Notes: aaaaah, Blood, you lecherous, sneaky, conniving man you. ain't just a charmer ^^* anyway, yes the next chapter is a water gun fight with Ari and Boris. who will be the victor? only i know right now, you will just have to read :D anywho, enjoy~