Kris shrugged. "Trying to get on a more normal schedule again. I'll sleep in a couple of days." She picked up one of her favorite books, settling down in an armchair.

Aura watched as Kris picked a book off the shelf, and wondered if she would noticed that there were two or three new titles amongst all of the older ones. Aura hadn't picked them out herself, but it didn't matter once she started to read them; it seemed they were all chosen with her in mind, and she'd read her way through them while Kris was gone to keep herself busy in the evenings.

Kris did notice, but she didn't say anything. She wasn't going to, either. Those little presents were okay, and let her know that he was indeed still interested. But he'd have to go talk to her soon or she was going to be really pissed.

It took Aura a few more days to really relax back into routine once Kris was home. Her routine had been messed up while her friend was gone, and she actually had to remind herself that she was the only one leaving in the mornings, since she had work. A few days was all she needed to settle back in, though, and besides... If she would admit it, she was looking forward to work now because she had a sneaking suspicion she might be seeing Sesshoumaru a little more often now. She was a little dense when it came to youkai and their habits, but she wasn't completely oblivious.

Sesshomaru did indeed show up again that first day she went to work after Kris got back. Hisoka had told him that the hanyou was back, so he was eager to see Aura (although if anyone told him that, they'd regret it).

"Aura," he greeted quietly, looking down at her and holding his still-sleepy brother.

"Hey," Aura greeted back, just as quietly. It was still early around the daycare, and most of the kids were still too sleepy to be hyperactive, so Aura actually had the chance to stand and talk for a little while. She didn't reach for the pup, though. She always waited for Sesshoumaru to hand the boy to her. "How have you been lately?" It was a bit of a lame question, but it seemed necessary to get the conversation moving.

Sesshomaru considered for a moment before one shoulder lifted. "Surviving. And yourself?" he looked her over quickly again, reminding himself that she was not harmed.

"Doing better now," Aura replied. She didn't specify what improved her mood, though. Things improved when Kris came home, but Aura was also pleased to see Sesshoumaru again. Let him interpret that how he wanted to.

Sesshomaru nodded. "I am pleased to hear it." He was quiet for a few moments. "Perhaps now that things are better, would you be willing to join me for dinner?" That was a fairly human concept, he figured. And safe enough. Kris wouldn't get huffy over that.

Hopefully, anyway.

Aura visibly brightened at the invitation, but her expression dimmed slightly again when something occurred to her.

"I think," she said, "you should make sure everything is okay with Kris. I won't have anything upsetting her again like last time." It was a legitimate concern, especially because she was fairly sure he hadn't cleared anything up with Kris yet.

"Of course," Sesshomaru said, smiling faintly. It was a legitimate concern, and he thought quickly. "Perhaps I will go see her today, and inform you of her decision later?"

There really was no need for her to be there when he talked to Kris, so he figured he might as well get it over and done with while she was away.

Aura smiled slightly and nodded.

"I'd like that," she replied. She wanted to make sure things were done right, this time, and she didn't want Kris getting upset. Having her leave for almost two weeks was bad enough without having it happen. Absently, she checked the logs for the day. It seemed like it would be a normal day, rather than one of those fluke kids-around-for-an-extra-couple-hours kind of days. "As far as I can tell, I should be out of here around five-thirty or so."

Sesshomaru nodded his assent. "I will check in when I pick up the little one." Meaning InuYasha. Since said pup was still snuggled into Sesshomaru, still sleepy. His ears kept twitching whenever he heard Aura's voice, though.

Aura noticed that the pup's ears twitched every so often, but she managed to keep from cooing over him too much. She was slowly getting desensitized to his cuteness, thankfully. She nodded when Sesshoumaru spoke.

"Alright," she said. "I can take him whenever you're ready to go."

Sesshomaru nodded and managed to detach the pup, handing him over to Aura carefully before glancing around again. He was a little paranoid, yes. Paranoia served him well, though.

Aura took the pup gently, letting him snuggle closer to her. He really was a snuggle-pup when he was sleepy, but it was something she was used to by now.

"I guess I'll see you when you get here this afternoon, then," she said to Sesshoumaru.

"If not before," Sesshomaru agreed mildly. He slipped off, leaving her to get settled in. Meanwhile he'd go talk to Kris.

Aura watched him go, and then went to get Inuyasha settled for the morning. Because she knew he wouldn't stay settled any longer than that, oh no. She'd noticed, though, that he'd started clinging to her a little more often lately, though. That was new.

Sesshomaru and Kris had a very long conversation. That involved some fists and feet. And both of them came out bloodier for it. But they had their conversation, and Kris gave him permission. And then they both settled down to lick their wounds for a while, both settled in the living room.

At least they hadn't broken any furniture.

Aura's day at the daycare was just as crazy as usual. She spent her day chasing little kids around, and had a kid clinging to her back for more than half of that time, but she enjoyed her job. It wasn't what she'd gone to college for, but it was worth it all the same.

She was still looking forward to the end of the day, though. She wanted to see Sesshoumaru again and ask if he'd talked to Kris yet.

Sesshomaru left earlier than usual, and he went to the daycare. He smiled faintly and watched for a few moments, since she handled the chaos well.

At least until InuYasha ran over to him, latching onto his leg. Sesshomaru picked the pup up easily, waiting for her to find a few free moments to talk to him.

Aura knew the moment he got there, but she still had to find a spare moment to do such things as breathe and think before she could go over and talk. Finally, she managed to shake off the little kids with minimal scratches and scrapes and made her way over.

"And here I hoped today might be slightly calmer," she said. "Clearly, the universe had other plans."

"Clearly." Sesshomaru smiled faintly. "Looks like things are calming down now." He looked at the remaining kids. There weren't too many left.

"I talked to Kris." He looked at her for a moment, his hair shifting to reveal and already-fading bruise around his throat. "She has given her approval."

Aura noticed the bruise, but didn't say anything. She had a pretty good idea of what the 'talking' entailed, and vaguely wondered if there would be a back yard left when she got home.

"I'm glad that everything got hashed out, then," she said instead, smiling a bit.

"Indeed," Sesshomaru agreed quietly. "And the damage was minimal." Which was pretty good, considering. He thought so, anyway.

"Did you wish to go to dinner tonight, or another time?"