Hisoka gently put one arm around Kris, letting her lean against him if she wanted.

Aura leaned a little closer when Sesshoumaru put his arm around her, letting herself enjoy it a bit. It was nice just to be held for a while; she'd never had anyone want to hold her like that before.

Kris stayed there, just relaxing next to him while she watched. One of the kitsunes drifted closer, curious about her and Shippou.

Sesshomaru stayed there, his fingers tightening briefly on her hip when someone else looked at them for a moment too long before suddenly finding something else to do.

Hisoka's arm tightened around her waist marginally when one of the kitsunes came a bit closer, but he didn't immediately warn the fox off. He got the feeling that, if the kitsune wasn't put off by hanyou, Kris might want to ask some questions.

Aura definitely noticed that one. She glanced up at Sesshoumaru.

"Getting a little possessive?" she teased softly, even as she fought off a blush.

The kitsune looked at her before pulling a few wildflowers out of nowhere, handing them to her with a grin. Kris blinked and took them, and then laughed when one of the flowers turned into a little wooden thing. The kitsune winked before moving away again.

"Only a little." Sesshomaru looked down at her with a slightly raised eyebrow. "Do you object?"

Hisoka couldn't resist rolling his eyes a little. Parlor tricks.

"You can learn how to do that," he said to her. "I've heard it's not difficult to learn."

"No," Aura replied, still blushing a bit. "Just not used to it, that's all."

Kris smiled. "That would be fun to learn." She leaned briefly against his side. "If I can."

Sesshomaru smirked faintly and stayed there. "I doubt this will be the last time," he said quietly.

"I'm sure you can," Hisoka replied. "Do not sell yourself short."

Aura would be surprised if it was the last time. The more she got to know him, the more she realized what kind of person he was. And he definitely seemed to be the possessive type. And she really kind of liked it.

Slowly, almost hesitantly, she rested her head against him.

Kris hummed briefly before settling in there, just watching for now. She figured they'd have to go soon; she could see the two little ones starting to wilt.

Sesshomaru made a little rumbling of approval, making sure she stayed there. Even as he had to shift the pup to keep hold of him as Inuyasha got too tired. Hopefully the pup would just pass out for a while after this.

Hisoka glanced over at Sesshoumaru and noticed the same thing.

"I think perhaps the children have had enough excitement for one day," he suggested. "Perhaps it would be a good idea to take them home."

Sesshomaru nodded and moved away from the crowds to pick up Aura again. He took a moment to juggle everything until he was satisfied, and then he started running.

"Do you wish to stay here tonight or with me?" He gave her the option. He certainly wouldn't mind if she decided to stay the night again.

Kris looked over at Hisoka to make sure that he was fine with Shippou before she headed after Sesshomaru, not trying to overtake him. Yet.

Aura settled comfortably in his arms, holding Inuyasha close to her. The pup was very nearly asleep already.

"Home is probably best," she said reluctantly after a moment. "I need to change out of these clothes and put them away again."

Hisoka easily kept pace with them, holding Shippou easily. If the kit wasn't asleep yet, he most likely would be soon.

Sesshomaru nodded and kept running easily. "My father has more business in a week," he said abruptly. "He and the little one's mother will be gone for a week or so. If you wished to help again?"

Kris looked over at Hisoka and grinned briefly before she really took off, passing Sesshomaru with some distance between them, hoping to sneak past the taiyoukai and pass him.

Hisoka chuckled slightly and just watched. It would be interesting to see what would happen.

"I'd like that," Aura replied. She grinned a bit. "I'll make sure to pack a bag that won't threaten to explode, next time." She blinked when she saw Kris pass them. Interesting...

Sesshomaru rumbled. "You may want to hold on," he said before he sped up, matching Kris's speed. "Your hanyou... Kristine is rather trying."

Kristine grinned when she heard that and ran faster, pushing herself. She hadn't gone this fast very often, and before it was mostly when someone was chasing her.

"She likes being that way," Aura replied as she kept a hold on his shirt. It was kind of exhilarating, going so fast. She enjoyed it.

Hisoka picked up the pace as well, to keep up with the others. It wouldn't do to fall behind.

Sesshomaru snorted. That would have to be corrected if she was going to be brought into the pack like he knew Hisoka wanted, but that concern could be addressed another time. He could run faster if he shifted forms, but that would be cheating, since she couldn't. At least, he presumed not.

So he just ran faster.

By the time they both got back to the house, at almost the same time, Kris was panting.

"We... are doing this... more often..." she panted, pointing at Sesshomaru. "Not over yet." And then she stumbled over to the door, very aware of the faint burn in her legs.

Once Aura was set back down on her feet, she handed Inuyasha back to his brother. She had to take a moment to untangle the pup's claws from her shirt, but he hadn't left any marks, so she didn't mind.

"I had fun tonight," she said to Sesshoumaru.

Hisoka arrived a moment after they did, in time to catch the 'rematch' declaration.

"Would you like me to put the kit to bed so you can go inside?" he asked Kris. He didn't say anything about her going inside to rest, since he knew by now that her pride wouldn't like that, but he still wanted to offer.

Sesshomaru took Inuyasha gently, settling the sleeping pup against his shoulder. His lips twitched in a little smile.

"Good. I did as well. You will think about helping me with him in a week?" He tapped Inuyasha's side gently, and the pup snorted and tried to cuddle closer.

"Sure." Kris pushed the door open and moved inside, letting Hisoka in as well. She headed up the stairs, opening the door to Shippou's room on the way to her own, intent on changing into more comfortable clothes now.

And squirreling away his dagger somewhere.

Aura nodded.

"I will," she replied. Although, really, there was nothing to think about. She would do it.

Hisoka followed Kris upstairs, although he took Shippou into his room to put the kit to bed. Shippou was already fast asleep, and didn't stir much when he was put to bed. Once the kit was in bed, Hisoka went to Kris's door and knocked softly.

Kris had just hidden the dagger in a false section of wall, and she looked over at him. "You can come in," she said quietly, moving to sit on her bed.

Sesshomaru nodded his satisfaction and stood there, relaxing for the moment and keeping track of Hisoka. Then he shifted his attention to Aura again.

"May I try something?" he asked quietly.

"I just wanted to let you know that Shippou is in bed," Hisoka said as he stepped into her room. "Did you enjoy the festival?"

"I guess that depends," Aura replied. "What do you want to try?"

"Yeah. It was fun." Kris didn't mention the little incidents, but she didn't want to. She was trying not to dwell on them too much.

Sesshomaru looked at her for a moment, calculating, before he leaned down and kissed her briefly, careful not to disturb Inuyasha.

Hisoka nodded. He didn't bring it up, either.

"Then I wish you a good night," he said to her. He'd already made a few mental notes that he wanted to take care of, and he would start working on those as soon as he could. After all, he wanted to impress her, in his own way.

Aura froze for a moment, surprised, before she hesitantly returned the kiss. She wouldn't readily admit it to anyone (except maybe Kris), but that had been her first kiss. And, even though it was brief, it was wonderful.

Kris nodded. "Good night, Hisoka." She didn't ask when she'd see him again, because she figured that he'd be stopping by soon, if only to check on things.

Sesshomaru smiled faintly and touched her cheek gently. "Good night, Aura," he murmured.

"Good night, Kris," Hisoka said. Turning, he left the room and headed back outside.

"Good night," Aura murmured back, a bit red. It was easy to make her blush, and this time was no exception.