Hey everyone, I'm trying to incorporate as many review requests into this story as I can and still keep with my original idea. Keeping Kurama clueless was one request. Yusuke and Kuwabara's involvement is another. As requested I'll also try not to make Hiei's quest for Kurama's heart too easy or obvious.
The most overwhelming request I got from you awesome reviewers is that no one wants Hiei to have to wait until Shiori dies for him to get Kurama. If you read my stories you know I'm partial to Shiori being a part of their relationship but don't forget, I did let her die in my first story. Guess you'll have to wait and see.
You also seem to want a little conflict in our lover's lives too. Well, I don't know if I'd consider Camille 'conflict' but definitely an obstacle.
I had a request for Hiei to get kidnapped so Kurama could rescue him. Personally I'm not partial to torturing either of our favorite hunks like that but I do have an idea that might be a little more original (at least I hope so). Again, you'll have to wait and see.
Oh and don't be worried about 'constructive criticism', as long as no one's mean it doesn't bother me.
Leave me a review and let me know how I'm doing. Thanks everyone.
Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.
IN THE ARMS OF LOVE
Chapter 3
Hiei sat in the window sill of Kurama's room waiting for his partner to return from his date. Since their last mission, and Kurama's surprising confession, Hiei had been spying on the redhead and that woman. Knowledge was power and he intended to know everything about Kurama's relationship with the woman he considered to be his enemy.
He smirked as he thought about tonight's date and the three other dates Hiei had spied on over the last two weeks. His poor fox always looked bored out of his mind. As soon as Kurama would bid Camille goodnight Hiei would flit back to the apartment as if he had been there all along. With the information he gathered he intended to steal the former thief for himself.
Kurama said he wanted a lover he could take care of, and from what Hiei had seen, Camille was very independent and didn't want to be taken care of. Hiei on the other hand loved for Kurama to take care of him. Daily he was finding different ways to become the redhead's dream lover.
Looking at the scratches on his left arm the fire demon smiled as he thought about the cat he had intentionally scared in the tree across the street. Thanks to that cat in just a few minutes he would be basking in Kurama's attention.
Hiei turned to look out the window when Kurama came in. "Hello Hiei. What brings you around tonight?"
Hiei stood and moved to stand before Kurama. With his left hand he reached up to wipe lipstick from the redhead's cheek as he tried to keep the jealousy from his voice. "I was bored Fox, but it doesn't look like you were."
Kurama began to shrug off his friends comment when he noticed the wounds on Hiei's arm. Wrapping his long fingers around Hiei's wrist he examined the scratches. "Hiei, what have you gotten into now? If I didn't know better I'd say you were mauled by a cat."
As he enjoyed the attention Hiei rolled his eyes and pretended to try to pull away. "Hn. The filthy creature was in my tree."
Not allowing Hiei to escape his grasp, Kurama dragged him into the bathroom to wash the wounds. Hiei couldn't resist leaning a little closer to feel Kurama's soft hair against his face. "So you had a fight with a cat, and what, it won?"
When Hiei glared and growled at him Kurama laughed. A moment later the smile left his face. "Oh Hiei, don't tell me you killed some poor child's innocent little cat."
With a sigh Hiei allowed Kurama to put salve on the scratches. "Of course not Fox. Koenma would probably find a way to send me to jail for that. I did give it a flying lesson though."
Kurama laughed again at the image Hiei described.
The salve felt good but Hiei decided to play it up a bit and hissed as if it stung. Concerned, Kurama gently blew on the wounds as he applied the salve. If his eyes had been open he might have seen the look of pure pleasure on Hiei's face.
Before Kurama could feel him shiver at his touch Hiei pulled away. "Feed my Fox, I'm hungry."
Kurama smiled and followed his partner to the kitchen. Pulling things from the fridge he began making Hiei a late night snack. "Hiei, I never got a chance to thank you for what you did the other day. I really appreciated it."
Hiei smirked as he thought about his recent victory.
-FLASH BACK-
From a tree on Kurama's college campus Hiei spied on his partner and the ningen female as they sat on a bench talking. Angrily, Hiei watched Camille giggle as Kurama was suddenly assaulted by four silly ningen females. They were asking him stupid questions about school or his personal life. Laughing Camille waved as she slipped away leaving Kurama to fend for himself with the coeds.
When Camille was out of sight Hiei flitted down from the tree. Hands in his pockets he stalked right up to the group giving the girls a deadly glare and growl. "Get away from him you fools!"
Startled they stepped back but didn't leave. Without another word Hiei grabbed Kurama's hand and dragged him away. Behind them they could hear laughter as one girl called out. "Oh Shuuichi, who's your boyfriend? He's kind of cute!"
Kurama blushed as he allowed Hiei, still holding his hand, to pull him down the street. As if he suddenly realizing they were holding hands Hiei snatched his away. "Doesn't that wench know she's supposed to protect you from females like that?"
Kurama didn't have a chance to respond before Hiei flitted away.
-END FLASH BACK-
"If you're still thinking of mating with that female she's going to have to learn to protect you Fox." Hiei tried to keep the tone of his voice neutral as he spoke.
Kurama placed a hand on Hiei's shoulder as he set a plate of leftover lasagna on the table before moving to sit beside him. "I'm afraid you'll have to remain my protector a while longer Hiei. I haven't decided to marry her yet and even if I do she'll never be able to take your place."
As he spoke Hiei was reminded of Kuwabara's words. 'There's not a person in the world who can take your place in Kurama's heart.'
The similarity in both comments gave Hiei confidence. "You don't belong with her Fox. She's not the mate you said you wanted."
Hiei was surprised when Kurama sounded angry. "What should I do then Hiei? Maybe I should spend the rest of my human life alone waiting for some nonexistent knight in shining armor to sweep me off my feet!"
Luckily Hiei didn't have to respond because he wasn't sure what he should say. With a sigh Kurama reached out and put his hand on Hiei's arm giving it a little squeeze. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you Hiei. It's been so long since Kuro died that I've almost given up hope of finding the lover I described to you. At least with someone like Camille I won't be alone and when the time comes I can walk away from her since I couldn't possibly everlove her."
Hiei finished his food and turned to look at Kurama. "Is that what Kuronue would want for you Kurama? A loveless marriage with an unsatisfying sex life."
Kurama thought a moment then laughed. "No Hiei he wouldn't.Kuro would tell me to stop whining and find the strongest, sexiest demon I could and have mind-blowing sex until neither of us could walk."
Hiei smirked. "From what you said before Fox, the one that wouldn't be able to walk is you."
Kurama blushed. "Very funny Hiei. Just because I prefer to be submissive doesn't mean I don't like to take control sometimes."
Kurama took Hiei's plate and put it in the dishwasher. "It's late Hiei, let's go to bed."
Together they went to the bedroom and it wasn't long before they were settled in bed. In the dark they both lay on their backs looking up at the ceiling.
"Kurama?"
"Yes Hiei?"
"Kuronue was your best friend back then, wasn't he?"
"Yes Hiei, he was."
Suddenly Kurama felt Hiei above him. With his hands holding Kurama's wrists, Hiei pinned him to the bed. Kurama's eyes widened at the aggressive move. To Kurama's sensitive ears Hiei's voice was a seductive purr. "Then as your best friend now Kurama, I think you should follow Kuronue's advice."
Hiei dropped back to his side of the bed. His smile was hidden by the darkness as he sensed Kurama's temperature rise and his heart beat quicken. Pleased with Kurama's reaction , he began plotting ways to get rid of Camille without going to Reikai prison.
Perhaps it was time to enlist Yusuke and Kuwabara's help. On their last mission they basically said they considered him a worthy mate for Kurama. For the first time Hiei was glad his teammates considered him to be their friend.