Kirua: This is dedicated to my dear friend Ashley, a huge supporter since the beginning; theabridgedkuriboh and a reviewer who inspired me to jump start on this; Lovely Fox-Kit. Thank you guys.

Protect You

"Will you marry me?"

"Ryo...oh god...yes-of course!"

Four years later...

Yuma ran to Heartland Elementary, Beno was being dismissed and he promised his son that he'd take out to lunch to see his stepfather, Ryoga.

Quickly speeding to the area Beno's class is being dismissed, Yuma took a quick breather as Beno ran up to him. "Hi Mommy!" Beno greeted, hugging Yuma. "Hey...Bunnito...How was...school?" Yuma panted, a bit tired from going so fast. "It was good. Why can't you breathe?" Beno asked. "I ran here too quickly." Yuma answered standing straight.

Looking for Beno's teacher, Yuma saw a different woman tall but very quiet. "I'm here to pick up Beno. Where's Ms. Wilersworth?" Yuma said to her as she turned to him. "Oh, she's out today. I'm the substitue, Ms. Ichihara. Beno was a sweetheart today. Are you his brother? You two have the same eyes." Ms. Ichihara asked. "I'm his mother. May I sign him out now?" Yuma responded.

"Mother?" She inquired handing him the board. "Yes. I am his mother, I had him when I was 16." Yuma informed her, signing his name down. "Oh...okay." Ms. Ichihara replied, taking the board back. "Well, thank you for taking care of Beno for me." Yuma said turning away. "Come on Bunnito, Daddy is waiting for us to meet him at the restaurant." Yuma called, holding out his hand. "Kay Mommy." Beno jovially hopped and held Yuma's hand.

Ms. Ichihara looked at the board. "Yuma Kamishiro..." She read out loud. A thought crossed her mind. Why is Beno's last name Tsukumo?

At the Restaurant...

"Ryo!" Yuma called running with Beno and his arm raised. Ryoga watched the two in shame. They really are the same aren't they? He thought while waving back. When they had reached them, they were sweating, almost profusely. "Yuma..." Ryoga scolded softly. "I know, Ryo. 'It's a big occasion, please don't come all sweaty.' I'm sorry, but I can only run here." Yuma countered.

Ryoga sighed, "I guess it can't be helped, huh?" He asked giving Yuma a quick peck and turning to Beno. "Someone's been very patient, how about a big hug?" Ryoga said to Beno, receiving a hug from a giggling Beno. "How was school, Leon?" Ryoga asked. "It was great!" Beno replied. "That's awesome." Ryoga replied. "Mommy has to stop picking me up so late though." Beno stated, looking at Yuma. "Seconded." Ryoga added, looking at Yuma as well.

"Fine. I'll stop being so late." Yuma held his hands up defensively. "No. You have to promise, Mommy." Beno pressed. "If Mommy doesn't promise then Mommy doesn't get Mommy's favorite, onigiri." Ryoga added to the flame. "What!?" Yuma yelled. "And Mommy has to keep the promise." Beno continued. "Once again, seconded." Ryoga smiled at a very upset Yuma.

"You two are trying me aren't you..." Yuma glared at the two, scaring them. Ryoga knows what that glare means, push me any further and you won't sleep in the same room as me for quite a long time. And Beno knows he may never see another electronic in years if he continued.

"Daddy...maybe we should let it go..." Beno whispered. "I agree. I'm pretty sure we won't like the consequences if we continue." Ryoga whispered back. Yuma watched them as they whispered back and forth amongst themselves. "Your decision?" He asked crossing his arms, still glaring. They stopped and Beno walked over to Yuma.

Giving Yuma a hug, Beno looked up at Yuma. "Daddy and I are sorry, Mommy. We just wanted you to stop being so late all the time." Beno said. Yuma looked at Beno for a bit before sighing. "Alright I forgive you, Bunnito. I'll let you two off the hook but try it again and I won't be so forgiving." Yuma replied. "We won't do it again, Yuma." Ryoga assured. "Okay then, let's go eat. I'm really in the mood for some onigiri." Yuma smiled, holding Beno's hand while they walked into the restaurant.

After the Restaurant...

Yuma indulged in onigiri and fried shrimp. Beno filled himself up with Banana Cream pancakes and strawberry milkshakes. Ryoga moderately ate anything that wasn't spicy or contained onions. Being so full, Yuma and Beno had fallen asleep in the car.

When they had reached home, Beno went to his room to finish his homework while Ryoga and Yuma sat and talked.

"Ryo..." Yuma started. Ryoga hummed in acknowledgement. "You know I'm still upset about the sudden change in things, right?" Yuma asked. "Yuma...it's been an entire year already. I thought you understood that I need to work hard to get the promotion." Ryoga replied. "I do...but I barely see you anymore, we barely see you anymore. Sometimes I don't hear from you in weeks. How do you think that makes me feel?" Yuma countered.

"You don't think I miss you? I stay in that office day and night. Everyday, I think about you two, hoping you're doing okay even though I'm not there. Yuma, I understand you're hurting, I am as well. But please, please just wait it out like I am. For me?" Ryoga begged. Yuma looked down. "Okay..." He answered, receiving a hug from Ryoga.

"Yuma, I love you." Ryoga said, holding Yuma's chin up. "I love you too." Yuma replied before Ryoga kissed him.

Kirua: I'm happy that I started this. It was the right time to.