Hisoka listened to the plan and nodded. It sounded like a good way for the children to apologize to Kris for earlier.

"I think we can do that," he said to Shippou.

Shippou grinned. "Got any ideas?" Because his cooking skills were really only so-so at the moment. He'd get better later. When it actually became important to know how to cook rather than begging Kris for food.

"Why don't you go as your mother what she wants?" Hisoka suggested. "That way, we know she'll like what we make."

Shippou nodded and bounced off, going to go ask Kris. She eyed him curiously but gave him an answer none the less, and he went over to Hisoka again.

"She said something like pot roast sounds good." The kit's brow furrowed a little; he hadn't made that before. "Do you know how to make that?"

Hisoka nodded.

"I know how," he replied. "It isn't difficult, just slow. I'll show you what to do. We'll have to start now if it's going to be ready in time for dinner."

Shippou nodded and ran over to the kitchen so he could start working. Alex trailed after him, curious, with Aiko tottering after them, her thumb in her mouth.

Hisoka kept an eye on the girls as he lifted Shippou up to the counter to help cooking. Then he picked up Aiko and put her into her high chair so that she could watch without being in the way. He trusted Alex not to get underfoot.

Alex got up on the table so she could help entertain Aiko while the two males cooked. Shippou was more than happy to help, cutting up things carefully before putting them in the large pot. He'd have to remember to ask Hisoka to cook more often; he was almost as fun as Kris.

Hisoka was patient with Shippou as he and the kit cooked dinner. The kit was really an apt pupil when it came to learning something new, and it pleased Hisoka to be teaching someone again. Once the pot was simmering, he started cleaning up the counters.

"Now we let that go for a while," he said. "I'll stir it occasionally, but otherwise, it will be ready in a few hours."

Shippou nodded. "Okay." He hopped down from the counter to go play with his sisters again, figuring Hisoka had it covered.

Hisoka helped Alex down from the counter, and then set Aiko down as well before turning most of his attention back to cleaning up from cooking. He knew the kids would make their way back into the main room to play some more, and Aura was there to look after them, so he wasn't worried.

Alex tackled Shippou into the other room, and Aiko waddled over to get in on the playful wrestling. They somehow even managed to not run into Aura or Katsuro.

Aura kept an eye on the children all the same, even as her own son napped in her lap. His ears twitched every so often when the other kids got too close, but otherwise he kept napping snuggled up to his mother.

Shippou grinned when he managed to pin Alex down, then yelped when Aiko got on his back, effectively sitting on top of the pile. She grinned, showing two little teeth.

Aura grinned a bit and reached over to pluck Aiko off the top of the pile, somehow without disturbing Katsuro.

"Come here, you," she said affectionately to the little hanyou. "No sitting on your brother, that's not fair."

Aiko pouted up at her, sticking her thumb in her mouth again. Oh yes, this little one knew how to make herself look cute.

Shippou got up, grumbling, and Alex got up as well, muttering about little sisters.

"That look won't work on me, darling," Aura said to Aiko, cuddling her for a moment and rubbing her ears. Then she set the little one down to go play again.

Aiko pouted again but decided that Shippou and Alex were too boisterous and settled down next to Aura, leaning against her side to just watch for the moment.

Aura absently ran her fingers through Aiko's hair as she kept an eye on Shippou and Alex. She had no problem looking after them for a while so Kris could relax. It was the least she could do for Kris letting her stay for a few days.

Aiko purred quietly, enjoying the attention, and the other two were well-behaved, if a little boisterous with one another. But no one got hurt, which was always a plus.

Kris came back downstairs shortly before dinner, yawning. She'd ended up taking a nap without meaning to, and she was still waking up some when she got downstairs.

"Hey, you," Aura greeted when Kris came back downstairs. Hisoka had been keeping an eye on dinner so Aura could look after the kids. "Good nap?"

"Mhm. Unexpected." Kris yawned briefly and plopped down next to her, making room when Aiko immediately squirmed into her lap. "I hope they've all been good."

"They've been fine," Aura replied. Katsuro had woken up by this point, but he was more than happy to sit in his mother's lap and chew on the teether he'd been given. He was starting to teethe just like Aiko.

Kris nodded and ruffled up Aiko's hair playfully, settling down there. "Good. So, how are you two holding up?" She raised an eyebrow.

"I think this one is going to be clinging to me until we go back home," Aura replied, bouncing Katsuro in her lap a little. "It's not the same without Sess around."