Hope you guys are enjoying the story so far!
Sesshomaru was able to figure out quickly that their so called 'Team Leader' was asleep as soon as the boat moved out of the Harbor. He put it up to human weakness and spent his time instead sizing up their opponents. While it was being decided who would fight he was keeping an eye on Kurama. He had forgotten when he had bitten that supple neck to place his mark that his mate was in a human body. He could tell that Kurama was tired and was determined that his mate rest fully tonight.
Kurama saw that Kuwabara was rattling the exaughsted Yusuke and quickly moved to intervene, something that was noted by the other two demons present. "Stop, the training Yusuke went through was apparently immense. We must give him time to recuperate." Attention was turned to the dozing leader and the air was filled with silence as the question of 'who will fight?' ran though everyone's mind.
Sesshomaru believed that it was now time to give the team some perspective of his power. Of course his mate was fully aware of his abilities, but since he only took place in a small scuffle with Hiei and refused to train the human they had no idea what they were dealing with. He smirked as he stepped up to the ring without a word. It was only a shame that the leader was asleep since he would miss the show.
Kurama smiled when he saw Sesshomaru going up to the ring. He should have expected something like this. His attention was taken away as Hiei made his comment "It seems we have a volunteer. Good. I've been anxious to see what he can do."
Kuwabara shouted "Are you serious!? We don't know jack squat about that guy! What if he loses and we get booted from the tournament?"
Kurama sighed, knowing exactly what Hiei would say to that. He was not disappointed.
"If that happens all we have to do is kill everyone else on the boat before we reach the island. We'll say we're the right team and no one will complain." Hiei said with his red eyes a little too hopeful of the possibility.
Kuwabara was a little disturbed at Hiei's idea and said lowly "You didn't have too many friends growing up did you?"
Kurama took another look around. He doubted that the other teams would willingly accept their losses. He knew without a doubt that Sesshomaru would win, but he also knew that Hiei would get his wish in the end.
Unsurprisingly all the other teams quickly joined together against Sesshomaru. Many of them didn't realize who exactly they were fighting against. As they decided Sesshomaru calmly stood waiting for them to attack. He had already gauged their spirit levels and decided on his course of action. He looked to see if Kurama was watching. Pleased that his Mate's focus was on him and not the slumbering human he gave an expectant smile. It had been a long time since he was able to show off.
Kuwabara was doubtful of Sesshomaru's success "Hey we have to warn him or somethin' they're all going to gain up on him and he's trapped in a corner."
Kurama was much calmer about the situation "Patience." He said softly his eyes locked onto his mate, he knew that fighting them all at once wouldn't be a challenge for Sesshomaru. Still it would make any demon nervous to see their mate in such a situation.
The Captain smirked as he said the words they had all been waiting for "Attack!"
The demons all charged and Sesshomaru waited patiently until they were in range. Once they were where he wanted them he leapt into the air "Whip of Light" he said stoically. He summoned one of his most basic attacks and with a single graceful movement slaughtered the charging demons.
There was absolute silence as Sesshomaru landed and turned to look back at his team. He gave a small smirk when he saw the look of amazement on Kuwabara's face and the slight look of respect from Hiei. However he was rewarded when he looked at Kurama's reaction and saw the light he had been waiting for in Kurama's eyes. He gave an agile leap off of the stage as their team was announced the winner.
"H-Holy crap…"Kuwabara muttered "He got everyone with one strike…" He looked to Kurama as if to ask if it was possible.
Kurama smiled to himself as Sesshomaru came up to them. "Well done." He said softly before his demon senses picked up a gathering force behind him. They turned to see the other teams surrounding them.
"Hey what's this?" Kuwabara said not understanding the situation they were in.
Hiei and Sesshomaru exchanged exasperated glances as they formed a circle. Sesshomaru took the spot next to Kurama. Hiei narrowed his eyes and said "I think they stole my idea, we'll have to make them pay very dearly for that."
Kurama smiled to Hiei and said "Of course." That seemed to be the signal as they all leapt into action.
Towards the end of the fight one demon decided to attack the sleeping human. Yusuke fought him back even in his sleep. At first Kuwabara didn't realize what was going on until Kurama explained it for him. "Oh…" he said. He suddenly realized that they were no longer fighting he looked around curiously "What happened to the fight we were just in?"
Hiei rolled his eyes as Kurama explained simply "Everyone's dead."
The team finally made their way to the hotel. Kuwabara carrying Yusuke on his shoulders as they entered the ritzy hotel. A man showed them the way to their room. The team could feel the eyes of the elite watching them, keenly aware that to those people this was all merely a form of entertainment.
They entered their room and got settled, Yusuke was laid out on the couch and Kuwabara was busy looking around at all the luxuries the room had for them. Evening coffee was brought in for them. Kurama was glad for the coffee; he knew he would be going to bed soon in order to rest fully before the first day of the tournament.
Kuwabara picked up a cup and said "Careful those fancy guys might be trying to poison us."
Kurama felt some of his patience wane as he said a bit sharply "Does that really make sense Kuwabara? Why would they bring us all the way here to poison us?"
Hiei was always happy to bring Kuwabara down a notch and continued for Kurama "The organizers want to see us fight. They'll save their murder attempts for tomorrow."
Sesshomaru was watching the scene with little interest. He could tell that Kurama was tired if he hadn't sensed the little 'visitor' that had come with the coffee. He knew that they were right to save bonding for after the tournament. The stress would be immense for both of them, but Sesshomaru with his demon body would be able to recover much faster than his temporarily half demon mate.
Sesshomaru realized that Kurama wasn't as out of it as he appeared when he noticed the missing cup. Hiei caught on immediately after Kurama pointed it out though of course Kuwabara didn't catch on for awhile. "Wow…do you think Urameshi can drink in his sleep too?"
The presence that had entered the room decided to make itself known. Sesshomaru narrowed his eyes at the figure. A small boy in a bright costume with three stars under his left eye was sipping away on the missing coffee.
"He must have been hiding in the room before we got here!" Kuwabara estimated as he looked around as if trying to find other hidden demon children.
The young boy smirked and said "Fibber fibber I came into the room after you guys got here. Isn't that what good boys are supposed to do? Oops though I did forget to knock…" He took a sip of coffee before continuing "So you guys are the guest team aren't you? You're so lucky! Oh my name is Rinku by the way; I'm on the team you'll be fighting tomorrow."
Balancing on the cup's handle the demon boy continued to chat "I wish I was a guest they don't have to go to all the boring opening ceremonies or all the meetings about the rules. You just show up here and fight!" The child's cheerful smile turned dark as he said "Guess you don't have to find out about all the final battles and fights when you're going to be dead soon."
Rinku looked down at the team from his perch and said "Someone told me the guests would be special so I got excited, but you don't look special at all. Maybe I'll even beat you no hands."
Before Rinku could continue another voice joined in the conversation "Don't you think you're talking too much?" Another demon appeared in the room one with a simple fighting outfit of black boots, white pants, and a black shirt. His eyes were narrowed and his hair blond and spiked. His entire face spoke of disinterest and boredom.
He took the young Rinku with him when he left and said calmly with a slight accent "Enjoy your last night among the living. Let's say that tomorrow you'll strongly resemble your cup." As he left the cup split into two even pieces. Both Sesshomaru and Hiei noticed that there were imperfections with the technique that he used, reassuring them that the team was only putting up a strong front.
That night the team got settled into their rooms. One room was left over as Sesshomaru and Kurama shared a room. Kurama was happy to finally reach the end of the day. He knew that tomorrow would only begin the first of many tests the team would have to face during the tournament. He came out of the bathroom toweling his hair when he paused.
Standing before him bathed in moonlight was Sesshomaru. The Demon Lord was clad only in his long hair, tail, and light sleeping pants letting his mate easily see most of his body. Kurama himself was only dressed in a bathrobe and the towel in his hair. For a long minute the two mates simply stared at each other before Sesshomaru stood and made his way over to Kurama.
Kurama thought that even with the loss of his arm Sesshomaru's entire body spoke of control and strength. With his handsome mate coming towards him Kurama found it impossible to move as Sesshomaru gently cupped his cheek forcing him to bare his neck. Kurama could not hide the faint blush on his cheek or the light arousal that was coloring his scent.
Sesshomaru was keenly aware of the state of his mate. It had been a long time since they had been together. During the short time training they had gotten used to being around each other again. Now however they were adjusted and once again comfortable with one another. Sesshomaru kissed his claim mark and wrapped his arm around his mate's waist pulling their bodies flush to one another.
Kurama couldn't hide a small moan as he felt his mate's lips on his skin and then a slightly louder one as their bodies met in the darkness. Kurama shivered as their hips met and he felt the blush on his cheek darken when their erections touched each other. The sensation was powerful even though the cloth that shielded them from touching fully.
Sesshomaru felt his pride grow when he found how easy it was to arouse his mate. He reminded himself that foxes were naturally sensual creatures and that this particular fox had been left on his own much too long. The Demon Lord gave a suffering sigh as he led his mate to bed and kissed him fully. His tongue mimicking what his body wanted to do as he whispered against Kurama's parted lips.
"Soon."
Thank you all for reading please continue to enjoy!