Sesshomaru made sure they had everything before he moved over to Aura again, satisfied. Another hour or two and he'd be able to get outside to let them down the mountain again.

Aura moved over briefly to let him sit down, and then snuggled into his side. Absently, she traced the stripes on his wrist gently with a fingertip.

"You're really very cuddly," she teased him softly.

Sesshomaru gave her an arch look. "Only with you," he said quietly, letting her trace the stripes. It was kind of sensitive, actually, but he didn't mind.

"You spoil me, you know," Aura pointed out as she snuggled closer. "Completely rotten."

"This is a bad thing?" Sesshomaru smirked as he looked down at her, absently draping his arm over her.

"Not really," Aura replied as he put his arm around her. She grinned a bit. "But if you try to organize my shoes again, all bets are off," she teased.

Sesshomaru snorted. "One should hope your shoes do not require organizing again," he said, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Not yet," Aura replied. "But eventually, I'm sure." Leaning up, she gave him a kiss. "Wouldn't want you to be out of a job," she teased.

Sesshomaru chuckled quietly. "I doubt that will ever be an issue," he said quietly. He glanced outside again. Just about time to get going.

Aura laid her head on his shoulder for a moment, just enjoying the contact. Now that the snow had stopped, she figured they would be heading back home soon.

Sesshomaru got up after a little while and made his way outside. It was definitely cold out there. It didn't bother him, but the two girls... well, he was somewhat worried about them.

He looked at Aura before he shifted again, stretching out briefly now that he could. it would be easier for him to keep her warm this way.

Hisoka looked over when Sesshoumaru got up to go outside. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the taiyoukai was gauging how cold it was outside. He glanced at the taiyoukai, silently asking if they were leaving.

Sesshomaru nodded a little and looked at Aura, settling down so she could get up on his back.

And if Kris said anything at all, he was going to squish her.

Taking the answer for what it was, Hisoka nodded in return and then nudged Kris. When he had her attention, he tipped his head slightly towards the door, indicating that it was time to head out.

Getting up from the couch, Aura pulled on her boots and coat and went outside. She looked at him and raised an eyebrow slightly even as she pulled her coat a bit tighter.

"Really," she said with slight, mock disbelief. "And you're going to insist, too, I know it."

Sesshomaru snorted quietly. Of course he was going to insist. So there was no point in even trying to say no.

Kris heaved a sigh and got to her feet, stretching briefly and headed outside. Almost immediately she shivered briefly. Okay, definitely colder out here.

Oh yes, words were not required for Aura to catch that meaning. She gave him a wry sort of smile and climbed up.

"You know as soon as we get back we're going to get jumped on by your brother," she commented. "Before we even get a chance to settle back in."

Hisoka went outside with her. While he was nowhere near the size of Sesshoumaru, he was still big enough to carry Kris, so he tilted his head slightly to indicate that he wanted her to climb on.

Sesshomaru rumbled his agreement, although he sounded more amused than resigned. He waited to make sure she was settled before he took off, heading back down the mountain.

Kris crossed her arms over her chest. "I am capable of running," she said, more out of sheer stubbornness than because she objected to riding him like a good-sized horse.

Aura pretty much just held on for the trip. It was very different than the trip up the mountain, and she was privately a little grateful that she wasn't half bad at riding horses and that the skill translated fairly well to the situation at hand. Fairly well.

Hisoka just gave Kris a Look, and if a raised eyebrow could be translated onto a feline face, that was the expression he was giving her.

It was a much faster trip down the mountain than up it. For one thing, Sesshomaru was concerned with keeping her warm. For another, having four legs was always faster than two.

Kris huffed and started walking, just to be obstinate. Because she was still an alpha and she didn't take orders well.

Aura could tell how much faster this trip was going, and not only because of the trees and such going by. The air was also getting heavier again, and a little damper. She was sure her lungs would thank her later for it. She did stay snuggled close to Sesshoumaru, though, since the air rushing by was still cold.

Hisoka (almost) rolled his eyes, and walked with Kris. He knew she was stubborn sometimes, and he would be ready when she came to her senses.

Sesshomaru did slow down once they got closer to the house so she could adjust again. It wasn't so cold down here, and it wasn't snowing, either.

It had, apparently, rained for a while though, if the mud puddles were anything to go by.

Kris finally gave in when she could no longer feel her toes. Then she grumbled to herself as she moved over to Hisoka.

"Bloody cat," she muttered, though not actually in a bad way. "I thought dogs were supposed to be the stubborn ones."

Hisoka nuzzled her briefly before standing still so she could climb up. He knew affection when he heard it. Once she was settled, he took off at an easy lope down the mountain.

Aura noticed that it seemed to have rained rather than snowed, lower down on the mountain.

"Must have been a bad storm," she mused. "If the snow was anything to go by, at least."

Kris settled in there, being careful not to pull on his fur. She did, however, scratch a little behind his ears.

Hey, she wasn't opposed to showing some affection, especially when they were alone.

Sesshomaru rumbled an agreement and slowed down as they got closer to the mansion. He knew he wouldn't have long before Inuyasha figured out they were home again, so he crouched down so Aura could at least get off first.

Aura knew very well that they had about thirty more seconds before the pup realized they were home, and she made the most of that time. Climbing down, she made sure she had both feet firmly on the ground before turning towards the house.

Hisoka purred softly when Kris scratched his ears. He didn't mind her doing that when they were alone, and they still had a little while before they would be back home.

Inuyasha pelted out to greet them right about on time, jumping on Aura first since she was a more manageable size. He grinned at her, staying right where he was.

"It rained," he observed with a big toothy grin when he noticed the mud on Sesshomaru.

Kris grinned briefly and did it again, deciding that she rather enjoyed that.