Chapter 72

To the Tournament

Two month's had past since Riku and Yukina became mates. Hiei did try to kill Riku when he woke up and in the end Yukina had to freeze his feet to the ground until he promised not to harm a hair on his brother-in-law. After a few hours and some bribery with sweetsnow Hiei finally swore on his sword he wouldn't harm Riku. He later regretted it after walking in on Riku and Yukina on more than one occasion.

As for the happy couple, Genkai was not about to let two freshly mated demons live in her house. She wouldn't get a wink of sleep. So the guys built a small house about half a mile from Genkai's. It was simple with a living room, kitchen, dinning room, bathroom complete with hot tube (wink), and of coarse a bedroom. Riku and Yukina moved in a day after its completion.

Nothing much has changed with the others. Yusuke is still under Keiko's complete control, Kurama and Botan are still together, Kuwabara and Crystal have gone on hundreds of dates, and Hiei and Nami are still getting themselves into trouble. For instance, the gang played truth or dare at Yusuke's house and Nami dared Hiei to run around the block naked while yelling 'Come and get it.' Needless to say, Nami and most of the neighborhood got a good look at the angry fire demon. Hiei was still trying to regain his dignity and fix his shattered pride.

Riku opened his eyes after feeling the spot next to him in bed only to find it devoid of any koorime. He sat up and looked around. After a while he picked up the smell of food from the kitchen. He immediately got dressed as fast as he could and ran to the kitchen.

Yukina had just finished cooking breakfast when her mate came running into the room. "I knew the smell of food would get you up. You wolf demons are bottomless pits" she said. Riku smiled at her and gave her a peck on the lips. "What can I say? Your just an awesome cook" he said. Yukina smiled before they sat down to eat.

Outside Nami watched them from the window. The truth was she envied Yukina. Nami wanted Hiei to make her his mate but so far he showed no intention to. She knew he loved her but he didn't seem to love her that much. She wiped the tears from her eyes when she sensed Hiei approach.

"I've been looking for you" he said as he walked up to her. "What is it Hiei?" Nami asked. Hiei was about to reply when he noticed the sad look on her face. Has she been crying? he thought. "Yusuke wants us all to met up at the temple. Genkai got something in the mail" Hiei replied. "Should we tell Riku and Yukina?" Nami asked. Hiei nodded.

They waited till breakfast was done and knocked on the door. "What's up you two?" Riku said when he opened the door. "We need to go to the temple" Hiei said. "What happened?" Riku asked. "Something came in the mail and we believe it has something to do with a certain tournament" Hiei replied. Riku nodded and went to get Yukina.

"Yukina" he said as he walked up to her. "What is it?" she asked. "It's time" he replied simply. Yukina sighed and dried her hands from the dishes she washed. He scoped her up and ran to the temple with Hiei and Nami not far behind.

When they arrived they found everyone in the living room. An envelope lay on the table. "So I take it that's what arrived" Riku said. "Looks like it" Yusuke said. "Well open it" Kuwabara said. Riku picked it up and ripped it open. "It's a map" he said. "To where?" Crystal asked. "Somewhere near the docks" Riku replied. "Great another boat trip we'll have to fight in" Yusuke said. "The writing on the map says we are to bring out invitations" Riku said. "Then let's get ready" Yusuke said.

A few hours later

"That's the last of them" Yusuke said as he closed the trunk of his red convertible. It had been a gift from the gang for his eighteenth birthday. Keiko, Puu, Kuwabara, Crystal, and Shizuru would be riding with him. Kurama and Botan would be riding his Mercedes. The other four would be on Riku and Hiei's motorcycles. "Follow me, I know the way" Riku said as Yukina clung to him. With that said he took off. Hiei followed close behind, then Yusuke, and finally Kurama.

Kuwabara might have been enjoying the ride if Shizuru hadn't situated herself between him a Crystal. Plus he'd missed breakfast and was starving at the moment. "I hope there's food where we're going" Kuwabara said. "Is that all you think about?" Yusuke said from the drivers seat. "No, I think about my beloved Crystal more than anything else" Kuwabara said. Crystal blushed. "Save it Romeo" Shizuru said.  

"Kurama?" Botan said. "Yes?" Kurama asked. "Do you think this is all a trap? After all the Demon King wants Riku dead" she said. "Yes, it's a trap all right. But Riku doesn't want to endanger his pack. And we're not about to let him go though this alone" Kurama replied. "Do you think we can win?" she asked. "I honestly don't know" Kurama replied.

"That's the place" Riku said as they approached the docks. A crowd had gathered in the area. "I hate crowds" Nami said. "That makes two of us" Hiei said. They parked and got their things.

"I wonder what kind of bucket of bolts we'll be riding this time" Yusuke said. They stopped dead in their tracks when they saw a huge ocean liner anchored in front of them. It was like any normal liner. It was white with three big smoke stakes. "Is that out ride to the tournament?" Yusuke said. "According to the map" Riku said.

"Oh boy" Nami said with a faint blush on her cheeks. "What is it Nami?" Yukina asked. Nami pointed to where the VIPs were boarding. Standing on the ramp were Demonus and Amai. "Well if it isn't your little crush" Yusuke said with a hint of jealousy. The girls blushed. "I still don't know what you see in that guy" Kuwabara said. "He's just plain gorgeous" Crystal said. "And what about me?" Kuwabara said. "You'd put a mirror store out of business" Hiei said. "Watch it shrimp!!!" Kuwabara growled. "Is that supposed to intimidate me?" Hiei said. "Why you" Kuwabara said. Shizuru hit the top of his head. "That's enough baby brother, you're giving me a headache" she said. "Stop calling me a baby, I'm eighteen for crying out loud" Kuwabara said. "And you still sleep with the hall light on" Shizuru said. Everyone else burst out laughing.

"Hey you guys" a voice said. They looked over and saw Kairi and the twins walking toward them. "Kairi!!!" everyone said. "It's good to see you all" Kairi said with a smile. "Uh mama, who are they?"  Yugi asked. "Mama!!!" Botan said. "She and Muraku couldn't have" Keiko said. "Their adopted" Kairi said with a blush.

"Who are they?" Riku asked. "This is Yugi and Mimiru, they were orphaned by a snake demon so I've adopted them" Kairi said. "Hello" the twins said at the same time. "They're so cute" Crystal said. Mimiru's purple ears twitched. "Papa's coming" she said. "Papa?" Everyone said again. Muraku and Black Fang walked up to them. Muraku was glaring at the kitten. "For the last time stop calling me that" he said as he grabbed Mimiru by the collar and lifted her off the ground. "Muraku, put her DOWN" Muraku slammed into the ground and caused the pavement to crack. Mimiru ran to Kairi's shoulder.

Everyone burst out laughing until Muraku let out a deep growl. That shut them up. "What's that thing?" Yusuke asked looking at Black Fang. "That's Black Fang, Muraku's spirit beast" Kairi said. The wolf snorted a hello.

"What are you guys doing here?" Yukina asked. "Koenma gave us some tickets to go to the tournament" Kairi replied. Keiko felt a tug on her pant leg. She looked down and saw Mimiru looking back up. "What?" Keiko asked. "What's that thing in your arms?" Mimiru said pointing to the spirit beast in her arms. "Oh this is Puu, Yusuke's spirit beast" Keiko said. "Puu" Puu said as he flew down to the small cat. Mimiru giggled. "He's cute" she said.

"That thing is Yusuke's spirit beast?" Muraku said. "Is there a problem?" Yusuke asked. "I just thought yours would be more intimidating. After all, mine eats demons for breakfast" Muraku said. "What'd you say?!" Yusuke said angrily. "You heard me" Muraku replied coolly. "Muraku" Kairi said warningly. Muraku snorted and crossed his arms. "Let's board that thing before it leaves us" Botan said. Everyone headed for the ship.

When they reached the ramp a few large demons dressed in black tuxedos and sunglasses were guarding it. "Your invitations please" one of them said. Riku, Kurama, Yusuke, and Hiei showed him their invitations to compete. "I take it they're with you?" the demon asked. Riku nodded. "They all have tickets" Riku said. "Then enjoy your stay" the demon said as he stepped to the side. They walked up the ramp and boarded the ship.

A hour later

The ship was now well out to sea on its voyage to the tournament. Botan, Crystal, Keiko, and Kairi were getting massages, Yusuke and Kuwabara were at the restaurant, Kurama and Muraku were at the pool, the twins were in the children's play pen, Hiei and Nami were in Hiei's cabin making out, Black Fang was sleeping at the foot of Kairi's bed, and Riku and Yukina were taking a little stroll along the deck.   

In another part of the ship there was a small problem going on. "Could you please let her out" Amai said to the guy guarding the place where pets are kept. "We can't allow an animal that small to run around the ship" he replied. "Luna won't run around she'll be with me the entire time" Amai replied. "I'm sorry but your cat must stay here" the guard said. Amai sighed.

Demonus was angry. What his mate wants she gets. "You there" he said as he walked to the guard. "Do you know who I am?" Demonus said. "Y-yes, you majesty" the guard replied. "Then if she wants her cat then she can have it, understand?" Demonus said. The guard nodded his head and opened the door. "Thank you" Amai said before hurrying into the room.

On both sides of her there were cages with various small animals in them. She stopped in front of the one Luna was kept in. "Meow" Luna said showing how happy she was to see her master. Amai smiled at the cat and opened the cage. Luna jumped into her arms. "Are you okay Luna?" Amai asked. "Meow" Luna replied. Amai smiled and carried her out of the room. "Let's go" Demonus said as he and Amai started walking down the hall with Luna on Amai's shoulders.

They reached their cabin and opened the door. It was one of the first class cabins with its own kitchen, bathroom, two bedrooms, a living room, and a dinning table. Luna hopped off Amai's shoulders and ran away to explore the cabin. The other two demons followed.

"You've been acting strange Amai, what is it?" Demonus asked. "I'm just tired of the fighting that's been going on. Dusk has left us, Ace is wounded, and who knows how long Kane will last" Amai said. The expression on Demonus's face softened. His mate didn't like fighting and he hated seeing her like this. "When the Devil Wolf is defeated, the fighting will stop Amai" Demonus said as he slid his arms around her waist.

"But what about us, you know your father will find out you've made me your mate" Amai replied. "That doesn't matter to me. If he doesn't like it then tough, I'm not about to give you up just because he says so" Demonus replied. Amai smiled as he ran a hand through her blond hair. She looked up at the handsome devil in front of her. His red eyes were full of love and to Amai's surprise, mischief. "Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked though she knew what he wanted. He crushed his lips against hers and caused them to fall onto the couch. Demonus broke it and looked at her. She's so beautiful when she blushes he thought. "You really are my prince charming" Amai said. "And you are my princess" Demonus replied before kissing her.  

In Hiei and Kurama's cabin

Nami rested her head on Hiei's chest as he slept. She enjoyed making out with him but after being with him for two years she craved more. It was only strengthened by all the training they've done for the past two years. She looked up at his face. Hiei if you don't think I'm ready then you're wrong. I want to be your mate, and soon she said silently.

With Riku and Yukina

Riku and Yukina were walking along the decks holding hands. "I love the sea" Yukina said. "I thought koorime only like ice" Riku replied. "Riku" Yukina said as she playfully punched him. Riku smiled at her as he let go of her hand. She leaned against the railing as Riku slipped his arms around her from behind and rested his chin on her shoulder. "You know, this is kinda like the honeymoon we never had" Riku said. "Well I've had a good time so far" Yukina replied. "I know how we can make it better" Riku said huskily. Yukina smiled as he planted butterfly kissed on her neck.

He suddenly let go and pushed her to the ground. Yukina looked up and saw he was wrestling a snake demon. Riku kicked the snake back and got into a fighting stance. He concentrated and the Crescent Edge flew to his hand. "What do you want?" Riku asked. "Revenge for my brethren, Muraku" the snake replied. "I'm not Muraku" Riku replied. "Liar" the snake hissed before charging. It jumped into the air and flew toward Riku. Riku readied his sword and when the snake was close enough he thrust his sword forward and impaled it. He spun around and let the snake slide off his sword and into the sea. But right when it began to fall it coiled its tail around Riku's neck and pulled. Riku had no time to brace himself and fell over the railing with the snake.

"Riku!!!" Yukina cried as she ran to where he fell off. The last thing she saw was him disappearing under the waves. "RIKU!!!"

So much for a pleasant cruise. Don't worry I won't kill him. Next chapter will be up on Friday.

Next chapter, Riku meets an old ally of Ryu. Review please.