"I don't know, maybe she decided I'm not so bad?" Aura asked. "I mean, all we did was talk. She asked some questions, I answered, we talked about the pup for a few minutes."

Sesshomaru shook his head. "Interesting," he murmured. "It certainly could have been worse."

"I'm glad it went as well as it did," Aura said. She smiled a little and put a hand to her belly. "And, even better, the pup is asleep again. The hot spring was relaxing for both of us."

"Very good." Sesshomaru smiled and kissed the top of her head. "Would you like to take a nap? Or perhaps explore some?"

"I feel fine for now, so I wouldn't mind exploring a little," Aura replied. She grinned. "Did you set Katsuro on some unsuspecting servant to keep him busy?"

"Not an unsuspecting servant," Sesshomaru replied placidly. "A sitter." His grin was brief and wicked. "I don't think she was prepared for his level of energy, however."

"I can imagine," Aura replied. She grinned. "How long do you think we have before your sitter gives him back?"

"Oh a few hours," Sesshomaru said. "I may have implied that I didn't want him back before afternoon nap time." He looked rather smug.

"You're devious when you want to be," Aura said, grinning. Stretching up a bit, she kissed him. "I like that."

Sesshomaru smirked. "I'm so glad you approve," he murmured teasingly.

Aura grinned and kissed him again quickly.

"So, where did you have in mind for exploring this place?" she asked. "Since we now have a few hours before we have our son back."

"There are several options," Sesshomaru told her. "We can stay inside, explore outside, there are some good fields, a few more dragons out here as well."

"Surprise me," Aura said, smiling a bit. "Pick one that you like."

Sesshomaru chuckled quietly but took her hand and started walking. "Outside it is," he murmured.

Aura smiled and took his hand.

"So what's the plan for the festival?" she asked. "I know you and Katsuro will get more out of it than I will."

"You may still watch," Sesshomaru assured her. "As of right now, I have no solid plans. I figured I would see what Katsuro is interested in."

"Well, I doubt anyone would outright refuse to let me watch," Aura replied, grinning a bit. "Considering what you might do if they tried."

"Exactly." Sesshomaru smirked. "However, we can decide what we want to do as we go. If that is agreeable with you?"

"Of course," Aura replied. She cuddled up to him a bit. "If your father shows up, we can give Katsuro to him to watch for a while, too."

"Indeed we can. Call it payback for all those times we watched Inuyasha for him." Sesshomaru smirked.

"My thoughts exactly," Aura replied, grinning. "And he'd better agree, because I do not feel up to running after a pup this week, so someone else has to tire him out for me."

"Oh we can arrange that easily enough," Sesshomaru said with a smirk. "The servants are accustomed to having to run after children. Not hanyou, of course, but various other children."

"I'm sure," Aura replied. She laced her fingers with his. "Where outside are we going?" she asked, changing the subject. "I figure you have a destination in mind."

"I do," Sesshomaru agreed. "There is a spot on the grounds that I particularly enjoy." He smirked a bit. "It is easy to see nearly the whole territory from there."

"Sounds nice," Aura said, grinning. "Is it far?"