I think it's time for a peek into Kurama's confused mind, so I'm going to write this from his perspective for a little while. There won't be much dialog at first.

Thanks for the great reviews and ideas. Keep them coming.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

IN THE ARMS OF LOVE

Chapter 6

As Kurama searched for Hiei he had time to think about how strange all of the Reikai Tente had been acting recently, including himself. He wasn't sure if he was crazy or if the world had spun off it's axis.

He liked male lovers now he was dating a woman. Hiei hated humans and yet he seemed to be taken with one. Then there was Yusuke, Kuwabara and the girls. They had been acting so weird, almost obsessing with his and Hiei's love lives.

All of that was bizarre to say the least but something almost scary was happening. Kurama had been having the strangest reaction to Hiei, especially regarding his relationship with Yoji. He wasn't sure what name he would put on what he felt but if he didn't figure it out soon he might just lose his mind.

There was nothing wrong with Yoji, he appeared to be very nice, fun, attractive and sexy. He liked Hiei and seemed to take good care of him, at least that's what their friends told him. Kurama couldn't explain it but he had hated Yoji on sight. Something about the man brought out the Youko side of his personality, possessive and territorial.

He couldn't shake the feeling that Hiei needed protecting from Yoji, which was ridiculous of course. Maybe he was jealous of their blossoming relationship. Maybe he was just afraid of losing his best friend. Either way he couldn't let it go. No matter what it took he would see that the ningen didn't hurt his Fire-Fly.

'My Fire-Fly.' This was another thing he was beginning to question. He had no claim on Hiei and yet even as a humanhe feltalmost possesivehim. Something from last night nagged at his subconscious. Their conversation wasn't much more than a blur but he vaguely remembered Yusuke telling him to stake his claim on Hiei. What the hell did he mean by that? He didn't want Hiei like that… did he?

Oh, he had to admit he had been physically attracted to Hiei on more that one occasion. He was one very sexy demon after all. Who wouldn't be turned on by a such a powerful demon with Hiei's sexy body. He'd seen Hiei naked and it was enough to make a Youko wish for things he shouldn't wish for from his best friend.

Even as recently as this morning, when hewoke naked, it turned him on to think of Hiei undressing him. He supposed it could have been Yusuke when he brought him home but somehow he couldn't see the spirit detective being so bold. No, it had to have been Hiei who had stripped him and put him to bed.

Suddenly he felt Hiei's ki signature and brushed all other thought aside to follow it. He was surprised when he found himself at an outdoor market where there was a cultural festival going on. He was even more surprised to see Hiei leaning against a tree watching a drama troop perform.

Being careful to mask his ki and stay out of sight he weaved his way closer. As he feared, Yoji was on a makeshift stage performing. He was dressed in a fancy kimono but wore no makeup. Watching, Kurama realized he was pretty good.

A few minutes later the skit finished and Yoji jogged over to Hiei. Kurama had to admit the man was very attractive. He had thick, shoulder length brown hair and deep blue eyes. He was slender with a hint of strength and exuded confidence and sex appeal.

He smiled as he approached Hiei and it only added to his already handsome features. Hiei looked amused when Yoji stopped directly in front of him. The human placed a hand against the tree by Hiei's head and leaned down close to him. Yoji blocked Kurama's viewso he wasn't sure ifhe whispered inHiei's ear or was bold enough to kiss the fire demon in public.

Kurama didn't even notice his reaction to the intimate scene until he heard a gasp. Turning he saw two young women looking at him in fear as they quickly scurried around him and ran off. When he saw his reflection in the window of the shop he was standing by he didn't blame them for being afraid. Looking back at him was the cold, deadly glare of Yoko Kurama's golden eyes. His fists were clenched and he was pretty sure he had been growling.

He took a deep breath to try and calm himself before looking back at Hiei and Yoji. With a smirk Hiei playfully pushed Yoji away and began to walk off. Yoji laughed and almost skipped off after him. Kurama spent the next few hours following them.

They walked through the park then went to get something to eat. He didn't understand it but every time Yoji did something for Hiei that Kurama would normally do he got more angry. Later when they stopped outside an apartment building Kurama's heart pounded so hard the thought it might just jump out of his chest.

It appeared as if Yoji was trying to get Hiei to come inside with him. Hiei, obstinate as ever, resisted. Kurama couldn't describe his relief when a few minutes later Hiei flitted away. Knowing that Hiei was safe for now Kurama returned home. He had to call Camille and apologize for his behavior the night before.

Camille stood on the porch at the Minamino house saying goodnight to Shiori and Kurama. "Thank you so much for the lovely dinner Mrs. Minamino. I'm sorry I have to run off but the experiment I have running in the biology lab has to be carefully monitored."

Shiori smiled. "Oh, that's alright dear. At least my son can stay so we can have a little chat."

Kurama eyed his mother suspiciously before walking Camille to her car. Chastely he kissed her cheek then waved as she drove away.

Following Shiori into the house they began clearing the table. As they had done many times in the past they worked together to clean the kitchen. It wasn't long before his mother broached the subject of his new girl friend. "Camille seems to be a pleasant young lady and she's quite pretty."

Not sure where this was going Kurama could only agree. "Yes she is."

There was a slight pause before Shiori spoke again. "Are things getting serious between you?"

"Perhaps."

Shiori nodded, her voice holding no emotion. "I see."

Kurama was confused. "You sound as if you disapprove."

Pulling out a chair from the kitchen table Shiori sat down, indicating for Kurama to do the same. "Shuuichi, convince me you love her and I'll be happy for you."

Amazingly enough the centuries old Youko that faced demons and death on a regular basis was afraid of a simple conversation with his human mother. "Mother, I thought you would be happy that I've found a 'pleasant young lady' to spend my life with."

Shiori took his hand in hers. "Shuuichi, I would be happy ifI thoughtyou loved her. I might even be able to accept this if I thought she could make you happy. I only had to look in your eyes when you were together to know that she'll never be the one for you."

Kurama sighed. "Then tell me Mother, if a nice, attractive, intelligent woman isn't the one for me, then who is?"

Grinning, Shiori sounded almost amused. "Interesting you should ask me that. Son, I always thought you would fall in love with one of you friends."

He raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Really? Mother you know Keiko, Botan and Yukina have all been involved and even married for a long time now. Why would you think I would end up with one of them?"

Shiori gave him a sheepish grin before lowering her eyes. "That's not exactly what I meant. Darling, please don't be offended, and if I'm off base with this I apologize but I always thought you would choose someone more like… Hiei or even Yusuke."

She couldn't help but giggle when his eyes widened in surprise, almost bugging out and his mouth opened and closed several times. "Really? Why… why would you think such a thing?"

She shrugged. "Well, because the only time I have ever seen you truly happy is when you are with them. Especially when you're with Hiei. You are different with them than with anyone else, male or female. You respect and trust them like no other. Perhaps it's because they're men or demons or both."

She paused to let him absorb her words before continuing. "You've told me your Youko form is centuries old, I imagine in that time you must have had lovers, perhaps even one special lover. Did you like males or females then?"

Stunned, Kurama couldn't believe he was having this conversation with his mother of all people. "Actually Mother, I had both male and female lovers as a Youko though my preference was for males. Yes I did have a special lover, his name was Kuronue. He was the only one who ever made me truly happy but he was killed centuries ago."

Shiori gave him a quick motherly hug. "Oh Shuuichi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to remind you of a painful memory."

Kurama smiled at her sadly. "It's alright, I've actually been thinking about him a lot lately. In all these years I've never found anyone to make me as happy as I was with him. Thinking that I'd never find that happiness again, I decided to settle for an acceptable partner to help take away some of my loneliness."

Shiori lovingly brushed his hair aside. "Is that what Kuronue would have wanted for you? A loveless marriage with a woman you're not even attracted to?"

She looked at him questioningly when he gave a small laugh. "Funny, but Hiei asked me the exact same question. No Mother, he would have wanted my happiness above all things."

Shiori nodded and smiled. "Smart man. Sounds like Hiei is too. Maybe you've been looking too hard for the perfect man. He might be right before your eyes."

Kurama could only shake his head and smile. "I'll consider that. Mother how did you know that I like men?"

She shrugged. "Mother's intuition I guess. Your appearance would be another. Though I have it on good authority women find you drop dead gorgeous, it's obvious, at least to me, that it's male attention you are looking for."

At his questioning look she continued. "Your hair is beautiful but styled to appeal to men not women. You wear your clothes with the same intention, form fitting to show off your slender figure, the wayyou would for a man. Well, short of wearing a dress that is. Your voice and mannerisms are softer than most men too. That doesn't mean I think you're feminine or girlish, not at all. Just that you would rather attract a man… or demon as the case may be."

Kurama sighed. "Alright, I give up. Yes, my ideal mate would be a sexy, male demon. Unfortunately, for now I live in a homophobic, human society. Perhaps in the future, when I return to Makai, I can have that. Until then, I think I'll see where my relationship with Camille goes."

The conversation appeared to be over. Shiori resigned herself that at least she gave him something to think about and whatever decision he made she would accept it and love him no matter what.