Yusho sat in the rocker in Yuya's nursery, cradling the baby in his arms. It was the baby's usual routine. He slept soundly for a few hours, but, eventually, he would become fussy. Wanting to give Yoko a break, since she took care of Yuya all day while he was working, Yusho got up and had been trying to comfort the baby ever since.

"Yuya? What's wrong? Aren't you tired?" Yusho bounced him gently.

The baby used a fist to rub his left eye.

"See? You're sleepy. That means that you should go back to sleep."

Yuya yawned, causing Yusho to smile.

"There. That's my boy. Time to go back into your crib."

Yusho moved to get up; however, as soon as he leaned forward, Yuya started whimpering all over again. The father closed his eyes and gave a wry chuckle. It seemed that neither one of them were going to be getting much sleep tonight.

"All right. All right. Have it your way. We'll stay here in your rocker. Does that sound okay to you?"

The baby continued to whimper, though the cries had died down.

"Oh. What's the matter, Yuya? I hate to see you upset. I do," Yusho gazed at him with concern. "Hush, Yuya. Hush now. Everything's all right. Shh. Shh."

"Need some help?"

Yusho started at the sound of his wife's voice in the doorway.

"Yoko," he frowned. "Why aren't you asleep?"

She strolled over beside the rocking chair.

"I just wondered how things were going since you hadn't come back yet."

"I think he just doesn't want to be alone. You go back to sleep, my love. I'll stay up with Yuya."

The man jumped in surprise when Yuya's tiny hand thumped against his face. Yusho smiled as the baby's fingers entwined themselves within the newly-grown facial hair on his chin, playing with them.

"Aw. What are you doin'?" Yoko fawned. "Do you like Daddy's facial hair? Hm? I do, too. Look. He doesn't look like he's twelve-years-old anymore."

"What!" Yusho guffawed.

"Yeah. You look like a man now," Yoko gave him a mischievous smirk.

"I looked like one before, too!"

Yoko winced, giving him a skeptical grunt.

"I did!"

"You looked more like a baby trying to pose as a grown man. But now…Mmm," the woman wiggled her eyebrows, causing Yusho to let out a soft chortle.

"Well, I'm glad you approve, my love."

"Oh, very much so. And look! I think Yuya likes it, too," Yoko pointed back at the boy, who was drifting back to sleep, his hand still on his father's chin.

"Whatever helps him get back to sleep, I suppose."

"Yeah," Yoko leaned down and planted a kiss on the baby's forehead. "I guess we should put him back in his crib."

Yusho leaned down and nudged Yoko's head, having noted the sad air in her voice at her words.

"He'll be all right, my love. Come on, Yuya. Let's get you back into bed," Yusho cautiously got up from the chair and gently placed the boy in his crib. "Sleep tight, son."

Yoko walked up beside her husband, resting her head on his shoulder as she gazed at the sleeping infant.

"I love him so much, Yusho," she whispered after a moment.

The duelist smiled, planting a kiss on the top of the woman's head.

"I love him, too. Come, my love. Let's get back to sleep."

"If we must."

The couple headed toward the doorway, Yoko leading the way. Yusho yawned as he followed, realizing just how heavy his eyelids felt. He couldn't wait for his head to hit his pillow and to drift off to sleep with Yoko in his arms. But the couple stopped in their tracks, having just passed through the threshold when they heard the baby start to whimper again.

"You go on, Yoko. I've got him."

"Nope," she shook her head with a warm smile. "It's my turn."

"But…"

"No," she held up a hand to silence him. "Don't argue with me. I'll be fine. You, on the other hand, have training in the morning. You need more sleep than I do. So you go to bed. I'll handle Yuya now."

"But I'll feel guilty."

"No need. Go to sleep," she gave him a peck on the lips.

"But, Yoko, you – "

"Yusho. Just go. I've got him."

He sighed. His eyes burned due to the lack of sleep, but he hated to give Yoko the brunt of the childrearing.

"Yusho, I'll be fine. I'll get Yuya to sleep. Besides, I love spending any time I can with him. He's not going to be so little forever."

"You make me feel like I don't do enough…" the man admitted.

"You do more than enough, darling. Trust me," she gave him another peck, this time on the cheek. "Go to bed. I'll be in soon. I promise. It's my turn with Yuya now."

"Yes, my love," he smiled, knowing he wasn't going to get his way.

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my love."

Yusho stayed put as Yoko reentered Yuya's room, watching her as she began speaking baby talk to the boy and rubbing his stomach. An amused smirk came to his lips. It was hard to imagine that this selfless woman was once the hardened leader of a gang, but here she was, staying up and fawning over their baby. Yusho loved watching her take care of their son, and he knew that she enjoyed hogging the baby as much as she could, but she deserved a little bit of a break sometimes – whether she wanted one or not.

He sighed as he headed back toward their bedroom. Oh well. For now he'd let her have her way – as thought he had a choice in that matter. But one of these nights, he was going to let her rest while he stayed up. She did so much already. She deserved a night off, after all.

DGG: Thanks for reading!