"Poke her left side right under her ribs," Aura supplied helpfully when the kids started to prod at Kris. She grinned. She knew where Kris was ticklish.

Shippou found the spot and Kris growled at them again playfully, jerking into motion and covering them both with her body until they were pinned. Then she grinned lazily.

Aura just rolled her eyes.

"That would be rule number two," she said teasingly. "Don't go for the obvious target."

The kids started squirming under her, and after a few more moments Kris let them up again, moving off to the side while they went to take shelter behind Aura.

"What, have I become the living shield?" Aura asked teasingly when the kids hid behind her.

"You know her better," Shippou said. "We need to know her weak spots!"

Kris opened one eye to look at them before she stretched and flopped back on the floor, just waiting for the next attack.

Aura grinned a bit.

"I gave you a weak spot," she pointed out. "See if you can find another."

Shippou and Alex conferred for a few moments before they both attacked, pouncing on Kris. She flailed a bit, playfully, and sent the two hiding behind Aura again.

Aura just watched, laughing a little, and then reached out to rub gently behind one of Kris's ears, just because she could get away with it.

Kris shivered a little and let her eyes slip half-closed as she relaxed there. She didn't quite purr, but she was happy.

"Always works," Aura commented, grinning slightly. "Almost without fail."

Shippou pouted a little. "But that's almost cheating," he said. "It's not war anymore then."

Kris opened one eye to look at him approvingly before shifting closer to Aura.

"I didn't say it was a trick for you," Aura said as she kept rubbing Kris's ears. "This is a trick for me, because it works on everyone here except me."

Shippou and Alex both pouted at that, but Kris didn't bother trying to dissuade her. As long as Aura didn't take advantage of that, she didn't care.

Aura knew better than to take advantage of it. It was just something she did on occasion, because she knew Kris liked being doted on like that every so often.

Kris was indeed enjoying the attention. It was nice to just relax every once in a while. Alex moved over and curled up on her stomach to nap for a bit.

Aura paused for a moment to let Aiko out of her lap so the little one could curl up in the little 'hanyou pile' as well to nap. Katsuro, however, stayed where he was. He was going to cling to his mama until he knew his papa was home again.

Kris didn't mind being turned into an impromptu bed, although she knew she wouldn't be able to actually nap. Oh well. It kept her kids happy.

Aura ended up staying with Kris for about four days total; until Sesshoumaru arrived to get them. She had expected him to call and say he was home, but it didn't surprise her in the least that he just came straight to get them instead. It also didn't surprise her to see Katsuro immediately rush over to his father to be picked up as soon as Sess came in the door.

Sesshomaru obliged the pup, picking him up and murmuring quietly to him for a few moments before he focused his attention on Aura again.

"I take it things were uneventful?" he asked quietly.

"As quiet as things can get around here," Aura replied, going over to him. She gave him a kiss. "Your son missed you quite a bit."

Sesshomaru nodded. "I know. I'm sorry I had to leave." He hooked an arm around her and pulled her close. "I missed you both as well."

"How was the trip?" Aura asked as she snuggled close to him. She'd missed him a lot while he was gone, and was pleased to be back in his arms again.

Sesshomaru shrugged a little. "Business. Mildly entertaining." Here meaning somewhat entertaining to watch peoples' reactions when he walked into a room or met them, since he was not his father. It had been... enlightening, to say the least.

"Meaning you enjoyed watching people flounder a bit," Aura translated. She laid her head on his shoulder. "Either way, I'm glad you're back."