Sesshomaru noticed and glanced around. Well, he could always carry the pup through his nap, but he wasn't sure if Aura wanted a bit of a rest as well.

Aura was perfectly fine holding the pup for a while longer. She did, however, lean a bit closer to Sesshoumaru. She liked being close to him.

Sesshomaru smiled faintly and wrapped an arm around her, keeping her close. Plus that way he could keep an eye on his whole family. Win-win as far as he was concerned.

Aura enjoyed the more frequent trips out to the dragon grounds. It gave her a chance to get out of the mansion for a while, and it sort of made up for the time she had to spend on bed rest during her pregnancy. It also gave her a chance to get to know a few of the dragons besides Ah-Un, which she liked, too.

Sesshomaru took his newly-appointed job very seriously, but he was sure to spend as much time with Aura and Katsuro as he could. He didn't want to neglect them, after all, and he could do some of the work at nights when they were asleep. So he managed to find a fairly good balance. Most of the time.

Except for times like now.

"Are you sure you'll be fine?" he asked for perhaps the sixth time in as many hous as he got ready to leave. He had to go out of the country to meet with a few people, and he didn't want to bring Aura and Katsuro this time. Besides, it was going to be a quick business trip, only a few days.

"We'll be fine," Aura assured him for the sixth time. "Really, we will." Leaning up, she gave him a kiss and gently traced one of the stripes on his face. "Would you feel better if we stayed with Hisoka and Kris while you're gone?" They still had a week or so before Katsuro's next human night, and she was confident Sesshoumaru would be home before then.

Sesshomaru hesitated for a moment before he nodded. Then at least she would have help right there if she needed it, and Katsuro could be distracted playing with the other little ones.

"Alright," Aura said. "I'll call and make sure it's okay with her." She kissed him again. "Just focus on the business trip, alright? We'll be just fine." It wasn't as if they would be cut off from one another, either; Aura did still have a cell phone.

"Don't like leaving you," Sesshomaru muttered. He didn't like it. He was used to being with her most of the time. Although her being with Kris and Hisoka was preferable to her being alone.

"I know," Aura replied softly. "I don't like you leaving, either." She snuggled closer. "But it wouldn't be appropriate for us to go with you this time." And besides that, Aura didn't think Katsuro was ready for a long trip like that, yet. He was still far too young.

Sesshomaru nodded, pulling her closer. "I'll be back in a few days." The sooner he could finish and be back, the better. He pulled her close, kissing her gently.

Aura returned the kiss.

"We'll be waiting for you," she said. "I think you should go see if your son is awake yet. If he is, I think he'd like to see you before you leave."

Sesshomaru nodded and kissed her briefly again before he headed up the stairs to go check on Katsuro. Even if the pup wasn't awake, he wanted to see him before he left. It wasn't going to be a long trip, but it would be the longest he'd been that far away from them since Katsuro had been born.

Katsuro was sleeping soundly for the moment, but stirred when the door opened and his father's scent and youki drifted into the room. His ears twitched a bit as he woke up and yawned.

Sesshomaru smiled faintly and moved over to him, leaning over to nose the little one's cheek gently. Never let it be said he couldn't be tender when the occasion called for it.

Katsuro nuzzled back, making happy little noises. He reached towards his father, wanting to be held and cuddled. And maybe even played with, if Papa was in the mood to play. Sometimes it happened.

Sesshomaru picked him up, cradling him easily and humming quietly. There wasn't a tune to it, but he'd noticed that the pup liked his voice.

Katsuro snuggled close, one little hand grabbing his father's shirt. For the moment, he was a happy pup.

Sesshomaru stayed there for a little while. He didn't have to leave for another few minutes, after all. Eventually, though, he moved back over to Katsuro's bed, moving to set him down again.

Katsuro whined a bit when he was put down again. That wasn't right, he usually got a lot of attention when he woke up. So why was Papa leaving again? He whined again.

"Hush," Sesshomaru said quietly, nuzzling the pup again. "I'll be back soon, pup." He smoothed a hand over Katsuro's head, smoothing down the pup's hair (what there was of it).

Katsuro whined a third time, trying to cuddle closer to his father. He didn't want Papa to go anywhere. His ears flattened back a bit, expressing his displeasure at the thought.

Sesshomaru shook his head a little and gently disentangled his son's fingers from his clothing. "Watch after your mother for me."

Katsuro whimpered and reached for his father again. "P-papa," he tried. His ears were still folded back and his eyes were wide.

"Hush," Sesshomaru said again, gently this time. "You'll be fine." He leaned down briefly to nuzzle the pup, hoping to reassure him, before he stood to go.