I want to thank you guys for keeping me straight. I forgot I made Botan pregnant in the first chapter. Poor Botan, I hope she had her baby by now. Keep up the great reviews and I'll keep adding chapters.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

IN THE ARMS OF LOVE

Chapter 4

"I'm going to kill you if this is some kind of joke." Hiei's threat didn't fall on deaf ears as Yusuke and Kuwabara looked at each other nervously.

Swallowing his apprehension Kuwabara tried to reassure their friend. "Hiei trust us, we want this to work as much as you do. We've all met her and agree, Poison Ivy has to go before she kills our plant master's spirit."

Yusuke couldn't hide an amused smile at the nickname they had given Camille. "This plan is perfect Hiei. You know how territorial Youko's are. Whether Kurama knows it or not he's repeatedly claimed responsibility for your wellbeing. He won't allow anyone else to tend you when you're wounded. Hell man you practically live at his apartment. I bet he even bought that shirt you're wearing."

Looking down at the black shirt Kurama had given him he couldn't deny Yusuke's words. "You really think this ningen will be able to help me win Kurama?"

His teammates exchanged a knowing smile before Yusuke answered. "Oh yeah, no doubt about it Hiei. His name is Yoji, he's a friend of Shizuru's and he's perfect. He's about Kurama's height, slender with a hint of strength and according to the girls really hot. He's an actor and we've coached him on exactly what will make your fox crazy."

Nodding as if agreeing with what Yusuke told him Kuwabara continued. "All you have to do is let him do what Kurama would normally do for you only giving him a little more cooperation than usual. The difference is, he'll be flirting with you trying to make Kurama jealous. He's gay so he won't have any problem coming on to you."

Though Hiei was still skeptical he decided to trust them. If they could be trusted with his and Kurama's lives why not their love lives. "This had better work fools."

Just then Yukina came in. They were all at the temple for a party to welcome Koenma and Botan's new baby boy to their extended family. The only outsiders would be Camille and Shizuru's friend Yoji. "Kazuma darling, can you and Yusuke help bring in the extra chairs from the back room? Everyone should be here any minute now."

Some things never changed as Kuwabara jumped to do his wife's bidding. "Of course, anything for my sweet little Yukina. Come on Urameshi."

Yukina moved to sit beside Hiei. "Don't worry Brother, their plan may seem strange to us but I think it will work. You and Kurama belong together. Just think of this as another mission and the Reikai Tente has never been beaten. Especially when the stakes are this high."

With a little blush he leaned over and gave his sister's cheek a shy kiss. "Thank you Yukina. With you and the other's on my side we're sure to win. I refuse to lose Kurama to Poison Ivy."

Even though she knew it was mean Yukina couldn't help but giggle at the name. "Come on Hiei, let's go win your fox."

An hour later the party was in full swing and going according to plan. Together they worked to keep Kurama from seeing Yoji until the perfect time and it looked as if it had arrived.

Seeing that Yukina and Keiko had brought out the food Kurama moved to where Camille was talking with Botan. Koenma had just brought his wife a plate of food and taken little Kendall to show Yusuke. Kurama touched her arm toget her attention. "Cami, would you like me to get you a plate?"

Camille was a petite woman with light brown hair and hazel eyes. Though she wasn't strikingly beautiful she was very pretty. "Don't be silly Shuuichi dear, I'm perfectly capable of getting my own food."

Kurama sighed. "Of course, I just thought I'd offer."

Botan tried not to smile at Kurama's disappointment. "Hiei looks so lonely over there. Kur… Shuuichi, why don't you see if he'll join us? You're the only one he'll listen to after all."

As Kurama slowly made his way to Hiei, Camille took a closer look at her boyfriends best friend. "Botan, it's okay if you call him Kurama. Shuuichi told me about the nickname his friends call him. If you don't mind my asking, why is my Shuuichi the only one that Hiei person will listen to?"

Trying not to bristle at the woman calling Kurama hers Botan answered. "Kurama and Hiei have been best friends for years. They go way back, long before the rest of us even met them."

Camille nodded as she watched Kurama approach Hiei.

Hiei looked up at Kurama standing before him. "Hello Hiei. I see you've already claimed your favorite window sill."

Kurama wasn't surprised when Hiei gave his usual response. "Hn."

Kurama smiled as his friend. "How about I get you some food Hiei? It looks like Yukina made some of your favorites."

Just then a very attractive man approached them. Kurama couldn't have been more surprised when the man leaned a slender hip, encased in tight black jeans, against the window sill near Hiei's knees. "Here we go Hiei. I wasn't sure what to get so I hope you like what I picked us."

Looking at the plate Kurama saw it loaded with all of Hiei's favorites. When he looked back at the stranger even Kurama was startled by the hostility in his voice. "Who the hell are you?"

Hazel eyes sparkled as they boldly met green ones. When he spoke his voice was smooth and not too deep, bordering on sexy. "Since I've already met all of Hiei's other friends then you must be Kurama. It's nice to finally meet you, I'm Yoji. I'd like to say I'm Hiei's date but I don't think he's ready for that yet so I guess new friend will have to do."

Kurama looked at Yoji's outstretched hand as if it would bite him. Reluctantly he shook the man's hand before looking to Hiei as if he expected the demon to deny the newcomers words. To hide his smirk Hiei quickly popped a piece of sushi in his mouth then held the plate out for Yoji to try one.

Kurama was so stunned for a moment he could only stare at the two. Before he could pull himself together Camille came up and put her arm through his. "Shuuichi dear, I'm ready to eat, would you like to join me?"

This seemed to bring Kurama out of his shock. "Yes of course Cami. See you later Hiei."

Hiei couldn't help but notice the look Kurama gave Yoji as he turned away. Only years of experience as Kurama's partner enabled Hiei to interpret that look… hatred.

Yoji smiled slyly. "Well Hiei, I think that was a good start. What do you think?"

Noticing Kurama kept turning to almost glare at Yoji, Hiei gave a little grin pretending it was for Yoji. "Not bad. I never thought I'd say this to a ni… someone like you but I owe you one."

Playing along, Yoji leaned closer as if they were sharing a lover's secret. "Don't worry about it, Shizuru has it covered. There's this really hot guy she works with and she said if I did her this favor she'd set me up with him. If this works out we'll both get the man we want."

Hiei looked to where Shizuru sat playing with baby Kendall. Sensing his gaze she turned to look at him. Hiei smirked and briefly bowed his head in thanks. Even without words she understood and nodded back.

If Kurama hadn't still be preoccupied with watching Yoji he might have noticed the unspoken exchange.

Throughout the evening Hiei and Yoji found Kurama watching them. Yoji played his roll perfectly. He wasn't overly affectionate but favored Hiei with little touches just in time for Kurama to see them. As they talked he would occasionally lean close enough for the conversation to appear intimate.

Through the jagon Hiei knew Kurama was discreetly asking the others about Yoji. The fire demon smiled at the fox's frustration when their answers were vague but suggestive.

When Kurama went alone into the kitchen Yoji grinned and moved away from the window and Hiei. "It's time to step the game up a bit Hiei. Wish me luck."

"Hn."

Kurama was in the kitchen fixing himself a drink. When Yoji walked in he stiffened. "Hey Kurama. I've been waiting all night for a chance to talk to you alone."

This peaked the Youko's interest. "Really? What ever for?"

Yoji moved closer and lowered his voice as if he was afraid of being overheard. "They tell me you're Hiei's best friend and I was hoping you could give me some advice about how to win him over. I like him a lot and it doesn't hurt that he's really hot too. Can you help me out buddy?"

Yoji waited as Kurama absorbed what he said. He took so long Yoji wasn't sure the redhead would answer. When he did his voice was deadly calm. "I am not your 'buddy'. You want my advice? Don't play around with Hiei's feelings. You hurt him and I'll hurt you."

As gold flickered in the redheads green eyes Yoji was honestly nervous. "Whoa man, chill out. I didn't realize I was trespassing on your territory. I thought you were with that Camille chick."

When he realized what Yoji thought Kurama was startled. "I am with Camille. I have no claim on Hiei."

Yoji raised an eyebrow. "Hm, you could have fooled me. If that's really the case then I'll go see if I can get that sexy little body of his to go home with me tonight. He's had me turned on since he implied he may not be tall but he was more than strong enough to be in charge, if you know what I mean. You know Kurama, Hiei's lucky to have a friend like you to look out for him."

When he returned to Hiei, Yoji could easily see his companion was having trouble containing his smile. The fire demon couldn't help but be impressed at what he saw and heard with the jagon. "Damn you're good at this."

Like the actor that he was he bowed, accepting the praise. "Why thank you Hiei. I take it you overheard."

"You could say that." Hiei was more than a little pleased at the rise he still felt in Kurama's spirit energy.

Kurama came back out of the kitchen with a drink which Hiei noticed was a very strong Makai alcohol. When Yoji leaned close he tore his gaze away from his fox. "You know Hiei for this to be effective he'll have to see us leave together and you can't go to his place later. He has to wonder if you spent the night with me."

Hiei nodded. "Then we had better do it soon. If he has another of those drinks he'll be too drunk to remember."

Yoji stepped away from the window and held a hand out to Hiei. As Hiei blushed and took Yoji's hand he saw Kurama slam back his drink. He grinned when he saw that Camille wasn't pleased.

As they left Hiei and Yoji only made two stops. One was to say good bye to Yukina and the other was to talk to Yusuke. "Detective, you are aware of what Kurama's drinking aren't you?"

Yusuke grinned but answered in the same serious tone as his friend. "Yes Hiei, since I brought it I'm very aware of what it is."

Hiei glared. "Hn. Then I am making you responsible for making sure nothing happens to my fox tonight."

Yusuke nodded. "Understood Hiei."

When Kurama saw Hiei leave holding the attractive human's hand Kurama ignored Camille's request to leave and went to the kitchen for another drink.