Kurama felt sick with grief the whole way home. After he had left Koenma's he had tracked down Yusuke and Kuwabara to tell them of Botan's fate. He made it a point to mention that the suspect was the escaped demon and not his little fire demon. The last thing he needed right now was to have more people accusing the person he loved of terrible misdeeds.

Yusuke became furious when he heard what had happened and insisted they head out to the woods to search for the cave. While they were able to find the cave there was no sign of anyone staying there.

"He must have already cleared out," Yusuke growled slamming his fist into his hand.

"Where do you think he would have went?" Kuwabara asked looking up at the trees, "He could still be here."

"If anyone is out there, GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE AND FIGHT ME!" Yusuke yelled scaring a few birds, but otherwise receiving no response.

"There is no more demonic aura in the area, whoever did this must have left when the ogres searched for them earlier," Kurama shifted nervously. He was lying of course. Demonic aura leaves traces and he felt some, but he didn't feel the need to mention they were Hiei's.

"Dammit, where is Hiei when we need him?" Yusuke asked, Kurama looked down shamefully. They continued searching until it was quite dark. Kurama finally convinced Yusuke that they weren't likely to find any clues if they couldn't see. They agreed to meet back at Koenma's in the morning, to check on Botan and then continue trying to find the culprit. As they departed not a single one of them noticed the short spiky haired figure resting on a tree limb watching them.

When Kurama finally arrived at his house he was glad to see the lights all out. At least his mother no longer felt the need to wait up for him until all hours of the night. He locked the door quietly behind him and made his way up stairs trying hard not to make any noises.

As Kurama entered his room he felt a deep sadness overtake him and a longing for Hiei. Ignoring the light switch he made his way into the darkened room and shut the door. He craved the darkness right now. He undressed just as quietly as he had entered until only his boxers and an undershirt remained.

He lifted the blanket and slid into bed in a single motion, a motion which was interrupted when he collided with an object in the bed. Kurama jumped back up as the figure hit the floor on the other side of the bed. The kitsune dashed back to the light switch reaching for it frantically until the room was flooded with light.

There on the opposite side of the room ready to attack stood a dazed and sleepy eyed fire demon.

"Hiei! What are you doing here?" Kurama asked his face a mixture of shock and relief.

"I've been waiting here for you all day Baka," Hiei replied, "Where have you been?"

"Looking for you."

"Why? You knew I'd have to come back here eventually."

"Have you really been waiting here all day?"

"Where else would I be?"

"Oh Hiei," Kurama sobbed and flung his arms around the tiny youkai. Hiei stiffened like usual, but stood there letting Kurama hug him.

"I was so worried about you, Koenma called us in and I couldn't find you. Now Botan's hurt and a demon has escaped into this world and everyone thinks you have something to do with it because nobody can find you," Kurama blurted out quickly still holding tightly to Hiei.

"Where was she attacked?" Hiei asked still locked in Kurama's embrace.

"There's a cave in the woods not far from town, she was checking the area and something sliced her with a sword."

"Hn."

"Do you have any idea whats going on?" Kurama finally released Hiei who took a step away from the overeager kitsune and stood watching him.

"Do you think I have something to do with this?"

"No, but you might at least know something useful to help us catch whoever did this."

"I don't."

"That's not good enough Hiei, you go to those caves, haven't you felt anything demonic around there?"

"Who said I go to the caves?"

"Hiei I could feel your aura there."

"Your mistaken Fox."

Kurama blinked confused. He knew Hiei's aura almost as well as he knew his own. He didn't understand why Hiei would lie to him about being in the woods. There was no reason he shouldn't be there, no reason for him to hide it, especially not from someone who was only concerned about him.

"I don't understand," Kurama admitted, "I felt your aura there, you must have at least past through there recently."

"It wasn't my aura I haven't been there before."

"Hiei I don't think you hurt Botan, there is no reason to lie to me."

"Stupid Fox I told you I'm not lying." Hiei was growing impatient, but so was Kurama.

"Why do you have to make it everything so difficult?" Kurama asked he sat down on the bed becoming aware of the fact that he was still barely dressed.

"What are you talking about? Your the one complicating things."

"Just tell me the truth."

"I am."

"I don't believe you."

"Believe what you will Fox, nothing I say holds any weight in that matter," Hiei grumbled rolling his eyes.

"It's not like that, I want to believe you, but I could feel you there."

"Did anyone see me there? Did Botan say I attacked her?"

"No, but they wouldn't have been able to see you if you didn't want them to."

"So this is how it ends?" Hiei crossed his arms in front of him starring down Kurama.

"How what ends?" Kurama stood facing his beloved.

"You told me love was born from trust. Since you no longer trust me then you must not love me anymore." Kurama saw for just a second a hint of sadness in the youkai's blood red eyes before it was replaced with anger.

"That's not true, I still love you."

"But you no longer trust me."

"I never said that."

"Then I haven't been to the caves."

"Hiei," Kurama's voice was harsh, scolding.

"Fine have it your way Fox, I was at the caves and when that pesky woman came sniffing around I took my sword and slashed her good," Hiei's voice became dark almost insane, "and that demon who crossed over? That was my doing as well, I'd tell you our evil plans, but I'm sure you'd rather wait and hear them from somebody else."

Hiei turned to leave, but Kurama grabbed him.

"I can't let you go, you're already in enough trouble. We must go to Koenma."

"I'll go myself."

"No, I'm coming with you."

"Fine let's go."

"Not yet," Kurama's lip trembled a little.

"What now Fox?"

"I love you Hiei."

"Stop it Kurama, just stop. Your mouth says one thing and your actions another. I don't like when people try to trick me."

"I believe you, about the caves. I don't know why your aura was there, but if you say you haven't been there then I believe you."

"Why?"

"Because I love you and because you wouldn't lie to me."

"Who says I wouldn't?"

"Please Hiei, no more games." Kurama was so tired. He'd spent all day running around and worrying and it had taken it's toll on him. Hiei seemed to sense the desperation in his friends voice and sighed.

"Okay Kurama no more games."

"Thank you."

"Do you think the others will believe me?"

"Yusuke will."

"Do you think anyone that matters will believe me?" Kurama chuckled softly. He knew Hiei was joking, the fire demon had great respect for the spirit detective ever since he had been defeated by him in battle.

"Koenma is looking for a reason for your behavior as of late."

"What did you tell him?" Hiei sounded nervous.

"Nothing we were interrupted," Kurama assured him, "but he may still ask when we tell him you are innocent."

"Hn."

"We could always tell him the truth."

Hiei looked at him helplessly, "I don't think that's a good idea."

"It's not a big deal compared to what might happen to you if we can't explain why you've been avoiding everyone," Kurama pointed out.

"It's none of their business."

"What about Yusuke and Kuwabara, maybe if we explain to them."

"I'd die first," Hiei cut him off.

"Okay sweetheart we won't tell them anything about us, but what will we tell them?"

"I don't know," Hiei admitted.

"I'm afraid I'm out of ideas as well. I'm too tired to think about all this right now." Kurama sat back on the bed.

"You should rest then Fox." Hiei walked over quietly and turned out the light again.

"Where will you be?"

"Not far."

"Stay here."

"I can't do that Kurama."

"Nothing like that Hiei, not this time anyway. I honestly don't think it's a good idea for you to be out roaming around while they are looking for you." Kurama said laying back on the pillow.

"I'll be fine Kurama-kun," Hiei whispered softly.

"Please just stay here, where I can protect you. We'll meet the others and go see Koenma in the morning."

"I don't need to be protected," Hiei protested.

"But I need to know you are safe," Kurama smiled he knew he had finally won the argument. Hiei shifted uncomfortably and looked around in the darkness. He started to sit down on the floor.

"Don't be silly Hiei there is enough room for us both here."

"That's not a good idea Fox."

"I promise to stay on my side, if I so much as brush against you while you're sleeping you can cut me down, okay?"

"I'm not used to having anyone brush against me while I sleep, if it really happens I can't guarantee your safety." Hiei said still standing his ground.

"I'll have to behave then," Kurama grinned.

Hiei frowned in the corner of his mouth just a little. He knew there was no use arguing at this point. Kurama was cunning, even when he was tired. Hiei shifted his sword off and propped it against the wall next to the bed.

Kurama smiled again and pulled the blankets back for the youkai. Hiei kicked off his shoes and carefully climbed into Kurama's bed. Kurama set the blanket back over them both and laid down again rolling to face Hiei.

Hiei was still sitting up starring straight ahead into the darkness. Kurama could feel his tension.

"It's okay sweetie, I told you I wouldn't take anything you weren't ready to give, I just want to rest now and know that you are safe near me."

Hiei slowly laid down on his back.

"I'm not afraid of you touching me," he said softly after a few minutes. Kurama stirred slightly he had assumed the youkai was already sleeping, in truth Kurama himself was more asleep then awake.

"Hmm?"

"I'm not afraid of you wanting to touch me Kurama," Hiei said.

"What are you afraid of sweetheart?" Kurama asked his voice sleepy and quiet. Hiei rolled so he was facing away from the kitsune and said nothing more. Kurama was too tired to force the issue and quickly succumbed to sleep. Before long both boys were snoring softly in the darkness of the night.

Outside across the street Yusuke crouched watching Kurama's window. Once he was satisfied that the occupants were indeed sleeping he stood and looked around. Suddenly his body contorted and shifted to a muddled mass of flesh growing larger until Kuwabara was standing there.

Kuwabara smiled darkly, he face unnatural in that position.

"I've found you at last my darling fox," he grinned. Still smiling he turned and walked away into the night.