As much as my readers love Hiei & Kurama I've always had requests for more Yusuke, Kuwabara and the gang. I'm going to try to accommodate that in this story.

Thank you all for the great reviews. I'm glad you like it so far. Oh and thanks for the great ideas, some of you might read your request right here in this chapter. Enjoy.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

IN THE ARMS OF LOVE

Chapter 2

Kurama smiled as Hiei flitted from tree to tree just ahead of the rest of the team. Even without words Kurama could tell that Hiei was glad to be home in the Makai. They had just wrapped up the mission Koenma had sent them on and were headed home.

The final battle had been hard and ended with all four of them in hand to hand combat. Cuts and bruises weren't a problem for these veteran fighters but they fought in a swamp and everyone was filthy and smelled really bad.

Hiei was in the trees trying to find them some place to bathe and sleep tonight. An hour into their walk he flitted back to Kurama's side. "Hiei, please tell me you're down here to tell us we can take a bath. I can't stand this smell much longer and everyone needs to clean their wounds before they get infected."

"Hn. With your sense of smell Fox this must be even worse for you. Don't worry, just ahead on the left is a large pond. There are also some small cavesin the hills behind it, we can sleep there tonight." Hiei took a moment to bask in the brilliant smile Kurama gave him. When Kurama placed an arm around him, squeezing his shoulder in a grateful hug, Hiei's heart skipped a beat.

Releasing him, Kurama quickened his pace, almost dancing ahead excitedly. "Hiei, I think I love you! Come on you guys, Hiei says our bath awaits!"

Yusuke and Kuwabara whooped in excitement as they hurried to catch up with Kurama. As they passed Hiei, Yusuke slapped him on the back. "Good work Hiei. Who knew the way to Kurama's heart would be a bath. Bet he hasn't told that dimwit girl he's dating he loves her yet."

Running to catch up with Kurama, Yusuke missed the hurt expression on Hiei's face, but Kuwabara didn't. Hiei was shocked at the concern in his brother-in-law's eyes. "Don't worry Hiei, there's not a person in the world that can take your place in Kurama's heart. Now come on, you wouldn't want to miss taking a bath with your fox now would you?"

Before Hiei could retort Kuwabara ran ahead. Unfortunately Kuwabara was right and no amount of embarrassment was going to keep him from seeing Kurama naked. Flitting ahead he beat both Yusuke and Kuwabara to the stream and his timing couldn't have been more perfect. He arrived just in time to see the redhead remove the last of his clothes.

"Inari Hiei, isn't that just the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" Hiei knew Kurama was referring to the pond but Hiei only had eyes for Kurama.

Hiei watched as Kurama stepped knee deep into the water and began rinsing out his clothes. He didn't notice that Yusuke and Kuwabara undressed and stepped into the pond a little ways away to wash their clothes. He also didn't see them grin as he watched Kurama.

Clueless as to what was transpiring around him, Kurama finished rinsing his clothes, and stepped back out of the water. With his spirit energy he coaxed a nearby vine to act as a clothes line and began hanging his clothes. "Unless you enjoy that smell Hiei, you had better get those clothes off and take a bath."

Yusuke and Kuwabara finished rinsing their clothes and came to hang them beside Kurama's. As Kurama turned back to the pond, Hiei blurred past him and jumped into the water. Kurama glared at the fire demon when he realized Hiei had shoved his dirty clothes into his arms. "I found you a bath Fox, the least you can do is wash my clothes."

Yusuke and Kuwabara were about to explode trying not to laugh. To them it was obvious, the longer Hiei kept Kurama out of the pond the longer he could watch the naked fox. When Kurama went to hang Hiei's clothes the guys swam closer. Kuwabara couldn't resist teasing him. "Enjoying the view Hiei?"

Before Hiei could get his hands on Kuwabara Yusuke moved between them. "Relax Hiei, we're on your side. We'd much rather see Kurama with his best friend than that boring girl he's been seeing."

Their talk was cut short when Kurama swam up to them. "This is paradise. The rocks are positioned perfectly, just like a bench circling a jacuzzi. The only thing that would make it better is if Hiei would heat the water up a bit."

Seeing Kurama's teasing smile and the twinkle in his eyes, Hiei was grateful for the setting sun because the fading light meant that maybe Kurama wouldn't see his blush. As requested Hiei raised his energy and the water slowly began to heat. "Just say when Fox."

As the water temperature rose Kurama closed his eyes and moaned. "Oh Hiei, yes, right there is perfect."

Hiei had to look away from the beautiful sight Kurama made before he did something stupid. Unfortunately where he looked was at the grinning fools with them. His glare was enough to keep them quiet, at least about Hiei's secret.

Yusuke decided Kurama's love life might be safer ground. "So Kurama, how are things going with… um… Colleen? Why don't you tell us about her?"

Hiei threw Yusuke another glareeven thoughhecouldn't help but be curious. He didn't want to know about the ningen that might take Kurama from him but as a fighter he knew there was an advantage to knowing your enemy.

"Her name is Camille. She just graduated from college in America and came back to Japan for her post graduate degree. She majored in biology so we have a lot in common." Hiei couldn't help but notice Kurama didn't speak as if he was very excited about her.

"We met in the library when weboth reached for the same book on botany. She's rather pretty and seems very nice. I think my mother will like her." Again Kurama's voice was neutral as he spoke.

Hiei didn't like hearing that Shiori might like the female. Kurama's mother had always been nice to him. When he first met her Kurama had introduced Hiei as a school friend that had been orphaned. In those early years she had fussed and mothered him whenever she saw him.

After Kurama moved out he told his mother the truth about being a Youko and that Hiei too was a demon. Just as she learned to accept her son's past she had willingly accepted Hiei's. If Kurama decided to keep the human female then not only would he lose his fox but also the closest thing he had ever known to a mother.

Kuwabara's question was asked as if he had read Hiei's mind. "Is that why you've suddenly decided to date Kurama, to make your mother happy?"

Kurama shrugged. "Partially, yes. You know I've decided not to return to my Youko life so long as my mother lives. She's not even fifty yet and thanks to Yusuke and the Forlorn Hope she stands to live a very long life. That's a long time to be alone. Even though I would prefer to someday take a demon mate, I know that wouldn't be practical in the Ningenkai."

Hiei just watched as his teammates helped him gather information. Remembering someone he had heard abouton an old mission Yusuke took their interrogation in a different direction. "Why a woman though Kurama? Your old partner Kuronue, wasn't he your mate? You were involved with Yomi once too weren't you?"

For a moment Kurama looked down at the water as if he were lost in a memory. When he spoke his voice was quiet. "So that's why you thought I was gay. I guess this means we're back to discussing my sexuality. No Yusuke, Kuronue and I weren't mated but he was my lover for many years. Not being mated to him is probably the biggest regret of my life. Yes, Yomi was also my lover, briefly a very long time ago."

Kurama paused to look at his friends. When he saw no judgment in their eyes he continued. "I told you I was bi-sexual and to a point that is true. As a Youko I have had both male and female lovers, though I prefer males. Even though I would be happier with a male lover, I think a human woman is a better choice while I live as a human. The biggest reason being, I know I will never fall in love with a woman."

Kurama gave them a moment to absorb the shock of his last statement. "I know that sounds cold but I can't risk falling in love with another human if I ever want to come home. I know my mother wants grandchildren but that's something else I'll have to be careful of. If I had children I couldn't help but love them and once again I'd be faced with having to leave someone I loved. That's one of the reasons why I'm dating Camille. When we first started talking she made it very clear that she wants a career, not children."

For the first time Hiei spoke. "Kurama, isn't your happiness important too?"

Kurama's smile was a little sad. "It's alright Hiei, my happiness can wait. I've waited twenty-two years already, what's a few more. I'll tell you though, when I come home for good things will be different. I don't just want a string of meaningless lovers like I had in the past. I want what I had with Kuro only better."

Again he waited to gauged their reaction before continuing. "To the demon world I present myself as a strong, dominant male, but I have a secret and the only one that has ever known it was my Kuro. You're right Yusuke, I do want a male lover. One that will love me and protect me. One that will let me love him and take care of him. Not another living soul knows this but I don't want to be the dominant mate, I prefer to be submissive with a lover."

Slightly embarrassed by his admission Kurama was once again looking down at the water. If he had been paying attention he would have seen the smirk on Hiei's face and the knowing grins Yusuke and Kuwabara exchanged. Raising his energy Kurama grew two large flowers. "Alright you guys, enough about me. The nectar in these works just like soap. Let's wash up and get some sleep."

A few hours later Hiei lay on his side in one of the caves watching Kurama sleep. For the first time he had hope that he could win Kurama's heart and if he wasn't mistaken he had two allies to help him attain his goal. With a smile, Hiei fell asleep dreaming of some day sleeping with Kurama, wrapped in each other's arms.