It was 2 O'Clock in the morning, and Samantha couldn't sleep. The reason being that she had just come back from Canada a day ago and had a bad case of jet lag. She tossed and turned, rolling around under the covers. Finally, she gave up, and threw the blankets off. She made her way through the dark corridor to China's room, clutching her stuffed panda and rubbing her eyes.

She pushed the door open, not even bothering to knock. She knew that even if she did, China would still be fast asleep. The girl walked up to the side of his bed and shook his arm. The country blinked open his eyes sleepily. He sat up, rubbing his eyes.

"Eh? Samantha? What are you doing up so late in the night, aru?" he asked tiredly, turning to face her.

"I can't sleep..." she murmured in reply.

"Oh." Yào paused, thinking for a second. "There is a sleeping method that America told me about. He said it helps people sleep easier. I have not tried it, so I do not know if it will work. It's called counting sheep, aru."

"I've heard of that," Samantha said.

"Would you like me to try it for you?"

The teen shrugged. "Sure."

"Let's go." China led her back to her room. She tucked herself back in bed, staring up at the country who had settled next to her. China sat up, leaning against the wall behind him.

"Okay. Let's start, aru. Try to fall asleep to my wonderful counting skills."

Samantha nodded, smiling in amusement.

"One sheep, over the fence, aru. Two sheep, over the fence, aru. Three sheep, over the fence, aru. Four sheep, over the fence, aru..." he counted softly.

China had purposely added the 'aru's to the end of his sentences this time, knowing that she liked it. He counted up to ten sheep, then looked down at her.

Samantha's eyes were open, but they seemed more peaceful and serene than they were a few minutes ago. She smiled up at him.

"Still can't sleep?"

She nodded.

"Perhaps counting more may work." China put his hand on the top of her head gently.

"11 sheep, over the fence, aru. 12 sheep, over the fence, aru. 13 sheep, over the fence, aru. 14 sheep, over the fence, aru. 15 sheep, over the fence, aru." He glanced at her, "16 sheep, over the fence, aru..."

As soon as she finished counting to 20, he stroked her head, looking back at her. Seeing that she was still wide awake, he groaned, putting his hands over his face.

"Why is it so hard to put you to sleep, aru?! You're just like Japan!" he complained. She shrugged, leaning against his arm.

"Why must it be sheep? I want to count shrimp dumplings and other delicious foods, aru! You know what, I will do that!" he exclaimed.

Samantha laughed. "Sure, why not?"

"21 shrimp dumplings in the basket, aru! 22 shrimp dumplings in the basket, aru! 23 shrimp dumplings in the basket, aru!"

"I don't think you can fit that many in a basket," the girl commented.

"Who cares? You like shrimp dumplings, and you know I do too! Let out dreams be filled with shrimp dumplings, aru!" he proclaimed. She couldn't help but giggle at his silliness. "But back to the task! I must put you to sleep, aru!"

China continued to count to 30, remembering to keep his voice low.

"Now how was that?" he asked her, "I feel like there is something wrong with my counting, I feel like a certain aspect of my counting isn't making you fall asleep, aru! What is it?" he whispered. "I want to eat shrimp dumplings now, aru..."

"Me too. Maybe we should stick to sheep," she said.

Yào nodded, determined. "I must stay on task, aru! I must count sheep no matter how boring they are, and I have to make you fall asleep!"

There was a long silence. The country exhaled, then started to count again.

"31 sheep, over the fence, aru. 32 sheep, over the fence, aru. 33 sheep..."

He continued to count slowly, keeping the pace and not stopping to rest.

"45 sheep, over the fence, aru. 46 sheep, over the fence, aru."

The girl finally closed her eyes, but he kept on counting softly.

"49 sheep, over the fence aru. 50 sheep, over the fence, aru. 51 sheep, over the fence, aru."

The atmosphere was silent, apart from his sheep counting. Yào counted all the way up to 70 sheep before he was interrupted.

"Panda?" Samantha whispered.

"Eh?! I thought you were asleep, aru!"

"I like...sheep...aru..." she muttered in her sleep.

China smiled and chuckled. "I see that you are finally asleep, aru. I'll go now," he whispered, getting up from his spot on the bed. He was careful not to wake the girl's peaceful, unmoving form as he stood up slowly.

"Good night."

The country leaned in and stroked her head, before tiptoeing out the door and closing it gently behind him.