He guys, this is where I try something different. I hope this works the way I want it to. If it does then Hiei and Kurama will have some time to talk. Kurama is going to set aside his anger for now to concentrate on Hiei but don't worry, they'll hash it out later.

I know I say this every chapter (at least I hope I do) but thank you. Your reviews make me keep writing so please keep writing those terrific reviews for me. I love writing for you.

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

IN THE ARMS OF LOVE

Chapter 8

Yukina's scream still rang in his ears as Kurama, with Hiei cradled in his arms and clutched tightly to his chest, carried the fire demon to the temple. He paused only a moment as he passed the little Koorime. "Not now Yukina! Hiei needs us!"

Entering the temple Kurama went to the spare room he occasionally used and gently placed Hiei on the bed. A much calmer Yukina was right behind him. Kurama removed Hiei's clothes as Yukina checked him for injuries. Other than superficial bruising there didn't seem to be any external damage so she began using her demon energy to check for internal injuries. "Yukina, what's wrong with him? He's breathing but I can't feel him."

When she looked up at him her eyes were welled with tears. "Kurama, he's not there. Other than the bruises he's virtually unharmed but it's as if his soul is gone."

At the door Yusuke and Kuwabara gasped. Seeing her husband she rushed into his arms as her tears began to fall. Before anyone could speak Yusuke's communicator went off. Under the circumstances he considered ignoring it. When it went off again he pulled it out. "What!"

On the other end Botan sounded frantic. "Yusuke! There's a band of demons that just crossed a barrier near the temple. The leader is bend on taking over the human world. Get the guys, you have to stop him!"

"Damn it Botan, tell me something I don't know!" Before he could continue Kurama grabbed the communicator.

"Hiei needs help! Get down here with Koenma now!" Kurama shoved the device at Yusuke and returned to Hiei's side.

Just as he usually did, once Yukina had treated Hiei's injuries, Kurama took over all of Hiei's care. After seeing the fire demon was clean and comfortable he applied one of his herbal creams to Hiei's bruises, feeding them his ki to speed the healing. When Keiko tried to help Kurama scared her away with a growl.

It wasn't long before Koenma and Botan appeared. Yusuke filled them in on what had happened before Koenma went to Hiei's room. At the scene inside he paused as if he were intruding on an intimate moment. Tactfully the godling kept the others from entering.

Kurama knelt at Hiei side, holding his hand as he talked softly to the silent demon. "Damn it Fire-Fly, why did you do it? No matter what, I would never want you hurt because of me. Gods Hiei, I'm so confused right now. I don't like being angry at you but I'm not sure I can forgive you for making a fool of me. You have to come back to me so we can try and work this out. I don't want to lose my best friend."

After giving Kurama a moment to collect himself Koenma knocked, pretending to have just arrived. When he entered the others joined them. Kurama eyed Koenma suspiciously before allowing him near Hiei.

Nodding, he silently acknowledged Kurama's consent before Koenma sat beside Hiei and placed a hand on his chest. A moment later he rose and turned to face Kurama and the rest of their friends. "Yukina was right, Hiei's soul is gone. I would have been notified if it went to Makai. Now we have to find out if it's been stolen or just lost."

Kurama grabbed for Koenma. It took Yusuke and Kuwabara to hold onto him. After a moment he seemed to regain some control and they let him go. "This is insane! How the hell did his soul get lost or stolen?"

Everyone just stared as their normally calm and controlled friend ranted at them. Again he seemed to regain control. "I'm sorry. I realize you don't have all the answers. Let's just find Hiei so this nightmare will end."

Like the team that they were everyone seemed to know their job. They paired up to begin searching for Hiei's missing soul. At first Yukina was going to remain with Hiei but when she noticed Kurama's reluctance to leave she went to his side. "Kurama, I should be the one to help look for my brother. Please, will you stay with Hiei. You know you are the only one he would trust to protect him."

Torn, Kurama wanted to save Hiei and protect him at the same time. Seeing his dilemma Yusuke put a hand on his shoulder. "Stay with him Kurama. Trust me, at his side is where Hiei would want you to be."

Seeing the sincerity in Yusuke's eyes Kurama nodded at him before leaning down to kiss Yukina's cheek. "Thank you."

When they left the room Kurama went to sit on the bed facing Hiei. He placed a hand on the fire demon's chest needing to feel his partner's heart beat. "Don't worry Hiei. The Reikai Tente never fail, especially when their mission is as important as this."

Restless, Kurama rose and went to the window. Looking out he sent out his ki as if calling to Hiei's soul. Almost immediately he got a weak response. "Kurama."

Startled the redhead whipped around and rushed back to the bed. "Hiei! Speak to me Fire-Fly."

The figure on the bed continued to lay there as quiet as death but once again Kurama heard his voice clearly. "Fox, why is it so dark?"

Kurama touched Hiei's chest once again searching for his friend's soul but still there was nothing. Looking around the room Kurama half expected to see an apparition of his friend but found none. "Hiei, where are you? I can't find you, please come to me."

"I'm right here Fox but I can't see you either, it's too dark." Hiei's voice was so close but definitely not coming from his body.

Deciding to experiment Kurama didn't speak out lout when he responded. "Hiei, can you hear me?"

"Of course I can hear you Kurama. You sound close enough to touch but I can't seem to move. Fox, tell me what's going on?"

Tentatively Kurama stoked Hiei's cheek. "Hiei, I'm touching you, can you feel me?"

"No. Damn it Kurama, tell me what's wrong." The fire demon was beginning to get annoyed.

Kurama took Hiei's hand in his. "Do you remember the blue haired demon attacking us?"

"Of course, he was going to shoot you. I couldn't allow that."

Kurama was so angry he spoke out loud without even thinking about it. "Damn it Hiei! Don't ever do something so stupid again. If you would have just let him shoot me this wouldn't have happened."

"You still haven't told me what happened Fox."

Now wasn't the time to scold Hiei so Kurama let it go for now. "You've been unconscious since the blast threw you into my arms and both of us into a tree. We're not sure how but your soul is missing. Everyone just left to go look for you when you suddenly spoke to me. I need to call them back so we can figure out where you are and get you back in your body."

Picking up a communicator that was left on the dresser Kurama flipped it open. "Yusuke, get everyone back here. I've found Hiei."

In a matter of minutes everyone had returned, excitement in the air as everyone talked at once to Hiei and to each other. Yukina came in and rushed to Hiei's side. When she saw that his condition hadn't changed she looked up at Kurama puzzled. Smiling he slipped an arm around her. "Hiei, Yukina's and the others are here. Why don't you let them know you're alright."

Kurama smiled as Hiei shyly spoke to his sister. "I'm fine Yukina, you don't need to worry."

If possible Kurama's smile grew at Hiei's words. "See Yukina, he's fine."

When his friends all looked back and forth at each other before looking curiously at him he realized they hadn't heard Hiei. "You didn't hear him did you? I don't understand, I can hear him perfectly. He said 'I'm fine Yukina, you don't need to worry'."

They all stared at him a moment before Koenma moved forward. Kurama looked nervous as Koenma reached a hand out and laid in on his chest. A moment later he felt warmth as the godling's ki passed through his body. He didn't have to wait long for answers when Hiei's question told him all he needed to know. "Kurama, I can't hear them either, just you. Wait, I feel something strange. I'm not sure but I think it's Koenma."

The look in the redhead's eyes told Koenma he knew what had happened. Since Kurama was the only one that could communicate with Hiei he nodded indicating for Kurama to tell everyone. Kurama went to sit beside Hiei's body before he spoke "Hiei, everyone's here and we've figured out where your soul is. Amazingly enough it couldn't be in a safer place. Fire-Fly, the reason I'm the only one that can hear you and you me is because your soul is right here… inside me."

"What the hell do you mean, inside you? How do I get out of you and inside me!"

Kurama looked up at Koenma. "He wants to know how we're going to put his soul back."

Koenma exchanged a look with Botan before he spoke. "I don't know if we can. It's never been done before."

"Kurama, what did he say?... Kurama!"