Hello everyone. Sorry for the late update. I'm redecorating one of the bathrooms and it turned into a major project. I'm going to start this while the paint dries on the bamboo stencils. Thank heaven stencil paint drys slow.

It doesn't help that I kind of have writers block for this chapter. I doknow howthis is going toendthough, I think you'll like it. Don't worry we've got at least two chapers before that.

I'll shut up now and let you all read. Thanks for a record 20 reviews on the last chapter. It makes my day every time I read them. Enjoy.

Some times Kurama speaks to Hiei "normally" and sometimes "telepathically".

Standard disclaimer: I do not own YuYu Hakusho.

IN THE ARMS OF LOVE

Chapter 9

It had been almost two hours since Hiei had been told that for now his soul was trapped inside of Kurama. The fire demon hadn't spoken a word since hearing the news, so Kurama figured he was pouting.

Even though he and Hiei were best friends, Kurama wasn't thrilled with the idea of having the fire demon's soul inside him. He was still angry at Hiei and the rest of the gang but he would have to deal with all of that later. Right now his priority was taking care of Hiei andgettinghim back to normal.

Since physically Hiei was fine, Kurama left him in Yukina's capable hands to go to his apartment for his lap top and books. He could still do his homework while taking care of Hiei. Not sure how long he would be gone, Kurama packed a bag for himself, adding a few things that Hiei kept at his place. He then watered his plants and fed them some of his spirit energy in case he wasn't able to come back for a few days.

Just before he left he took a minute to check his messages. There was one from Shiori and three from Camille. Picking up the phone he dialed his mother's number. He told her he would be staying at the temple for a while since Hiei had been injured and he was caring for him there. "Shuuichi, is Hiei going to be alright? I'll be glad to come and help if you need me."

He couldn't help but smile at her concern. She had always had a soft spot for Hiei and couldn't resist mothering him. "Thank you for the offer Mother but physically he's alright, it's just… complicated. I'm sure in time he'll be fine."

Shiori didn't sound totally convinced. "Alright son but unless he comes to see me in the next few days I'm coming to the temple to check on him myself. In the mean time give him my love."

Kurama chose his words so Hiei would get the message. "I promise to give him your love Mother. I'm sure Hiei will be glad to see you. If he's not better in a couple of days then I'll explain everything when you come see him."

After hanging up Kurama gathered his things and left the apartment. As he loaded his car he almost jumped when Hiei suddenly spoke. "You called Shiori but why didn't you call Camille?"

Getting in the car Kurama shrugged as if Hiei could see him. "I don't know. I guess I just don't know what to say to her right now."

There was several minutes of silence before Hiei spoke again. "Kurama, I'm sorry. I never meant…"

"No Hiei! I don't want to do this right now! I can't have you in my head and fight with you at the same time." After his harsh words Kurama spent the rest of the drive in silence.

"Alright Koenma, what are you doing to get Hiei's soul back in his own body. Kurama was just realizing his feelings for Hiei when he discovered our little plot. Now he's feeling betrayed and we need to get Hiei back so they can work things out." Yusuke was leaning on Koenma's desk with Kuwabara pacing behind him.

Closing the large book in front of him Koenma indicated for them to have a seat. "I meant it when I said I didn't know if we could transfer Hiei's soul back. This type of thing has only happened a hand full of times to our knowledge. Each time the displaced soul had no body to go back to because it had died. Nothing needed to be done about it because most humans and even the couple of demon's this happened to aren't as spiritually aware as Hiei and Kurama."

Kuwabara stood and began pacing again. "Maybe if we understood how or why this happened it would help us figure out how to undo it."

Koenma sighed. "I already thought of that. Our research indicates that in every instancethe displaced soul transferred to the bodyof it's soul mate. We believe that when the body died the soul refused to leave it's mate and transferred there instead of to Reikai as it should have."

Excitedly Yusuke moved to the edge of his seat. "Then why isn't Hiei dead?"

Koenma sighed. "I don't know. Maybe because he's an 'S' class demon. He's by far more powerful than anyone else this has ever happened to. Our research hasn't revealed anything else of any use. Our job is to retrieve souls not move them around."

Laughing,Yusuke jumped up. "You realize what this means don't you? Hiei and Kurama are soul mates, they really do belong together."

After saying goodbye to his friends, Koenma continued his research.

After dinner Kurama spent a couple of hours on his homework. He'd only heard a few words from Hiei since returning to the temple and it was starting to get on his nerves. "Hiei, I may not want to… discuss certain things right now but that doesn't mean we can't talk."

The voice responded was very quiet. "You should tell Shiori she doesn't need to come see me. It's not like I can talk to her anyway."

It didn't seem so weird to talk to the voice in his head if he could at least look at Hiei when he did so Kurama went to sit beside him on the bed. The redhead smiled as he looked at his best friend. Even after all these years Hiei still felt unworthy of Shiori's affection. "You don't truly believe she'd listen to me do you? Ever since I told her you were an orphan so she wouldn't question why you were around all the time, she's loved you just like a second son. If you're not better soon then nothing anyone says will keep her away."

If he were able Kurama knew Hiei would be blushing right now. "It's okay Hiei. At least she can see that you're unharmed and you can always talk to her through me."

"I guess. It just won't be the same." Kurama figured that was as close as Hiei would get to admitting that he liked the motherly hugs Shiori always gave him.

They talked a little more as Kurama got ready for bed. He had unpacked earlier and now brought out a clean t-shirt and sweat pants to dress Hiei in. The fire demon had been lying naked under a sheet since Kurama had undressed him earlier so Yukina could treat his injuries.

As he pulled back the sheet, Kurama couldn't help but once again admire Hiei's muscular body. Suddenly aware that Hiei was in his head and might be able to read his thoughts Kurama quickly dressed him and pulled thecovers back up.

Not wanting any more surprises today he decided to just ask Hiei what he could hear. "Hiei, can you only hear me when I talk or speak to you with telepathy or can you hear my thoughts too?"

"Unless your head is empty Fox then I only hear what you want me to. At first it was just all black and quiet. Now I'm able to sense a few things. I could tell when you were with Yukina earlier and a minute ago your heart beat got faster but not much else. Why?"

Climbing into the bed Kurama lay on his side looking at Hiei's sleeping body. "No reason, Iwas justwondering. It's late, let's get some sleep."

"Kurama, I know you're mad at me. I just wanted to say… thank you for not abandoning me even though you have every right to." Hiei's words were barely whispers in Kurama's head.

Kurama's heart was racing again as he whispered back. "No matter what Hiei, I'll always be here if you need me. I'm sorry I implied otherwise earlier. Goodnight Fire-Fly."

"Goodnight my Fox."

It was some time before Kurama slept. Twice today Hiei had referred to him as 'my Fox'.