Sesshomaru smiled indulgently and made sure everything was in order for the night before he settled in with them.

Aura was woken up the next morning when the baby decided that it wasn't time to sleep anymore. She sighed softly and eased herself away from her mate and son so she could sit on the edge of the bed and try to calm the pup down again.

Sesshomaru sat up, moving behind her and reaching around to rub her belly gently.

"Fussy again?" he murmured.

"Yeah," Aura murmured back. She moved his hand to where the pup was moving the most. "Over here. I guess he or she decided that we've been sleeping long enough." She smiled a bit when the little one kicked at his hand.

"Mm." Sess smiled. "As seems usual for pups of ours." He rubbed the spot gently.

"Seems so," Aura replied. She leaned back against him. "I didn't mean to wake you."

"I was awake already," Sesshomaru said dismissively. "My mother wants to see you after breakfast."

"She does?" Aura asked, looking up at him. "Is that good or bad?"

"Well, she won't try anything harmful," Sesshomaru said with a little shrug. "Other than that, I'm not sure. I don't know all her motivations or what she's planning."

"Then we'll see how this goes," Aura replied. She cuddled closer to him. "If you think it'll be alright, I'll go."

"I think you'll be alright. If you're not, I'll have very strong words with my mother." Sesshomaru continued rubbing, trying to soothe all three of them.

"Words?" Aura repeated teasingly. "I don't know who you think you're fooling. There won't be words involved. Claws, maybe. But not words." She sighed softly as the pup settled down again.

"There won't be any claws involved if she knows what's good for her," Sesshomaru said with a huff. "Besides, even if she decides she doesn't like you, I doubt she would attack a pregnant woman without very good reason."

"Still, it's probably best in the long run if she does like me, right?" Aura said, cuddling close to him.

"Probably, but as I don't actually know how she comes to any conclusion about anyone, I can't give you any advice." Sesshomaru huffed.

"It's okay," Aura soothed. "Just relax and enjoy the festival. I'll see what your mother wants, and then I'll join you and you can show off your family as much as you like."

Sesshomaru snorted quietly but didn't actually object.

"What sounds good for breakfast?"

Aura stretched a little and then just rested a hand on her belly.

"I'm not feeling anything in particular this morning, so surprise me," she said, smiling a little.

Sesshomaru snorted quietly but got up and walked to the door to talk to the servant about breakfast.

After breakfast, once Aura was as ready as she was going to get to face the day, she allowed herself to be escorted to the Western Lady's rooms.

Hotaru looked at her as she entered.

"Mother, this is my mate, Aurellia." Sesshomaru glanced between the two. "This is my mother, the Western Lady."

"It's good to meet you," Aura said politely. "Thank you for having us for the festival."

"Oh it's my pleasure," Hotaru said with a shark-like smile. "Thank you, Sesshomaru, we'll see you at lunch."

Sesshomaru blinked, frowned at his mother, but left.

When Sesshoumaru left, Aura relaxed just slightly. Clearly, he was alright enough to let her out of his sight, so she didn't have too much to worry about. She looked at the Western Lady, not sure how to start any sort of conversation.

"He looks a lot like you," she finally said.

"Fortunately for me," Hotaru said with a faint smirk. "And your son looks much like him."