I think it's Kurama's sentimentality that Hiei doesn't always like, but as a thinker and a fighter Hiei puts him just a little more above Yusuke who is strictly powerful. To Kurama, Hiei making Botan and Kuwabara scared isn't something that can be helped, and he'd see the good in Hiei even if Hiei won't. However, Hiei being a possible foe in the future is an interesting plot point to consider, more as a conflict of interests rather than Hiei being bad. Maybe Kurama and Botan are out to get something he needs, or destroy someone he wants alive for a greater purpose. Maybe someone took Yukina from under his nose--again--and he wants to go after whomever did it alone and kill them, while Kurama and Botan want to take him alive for some purpose. A lot of possibilities. Whatever reason he had to join the tournament, he was still an asset for them, so that's gotta earn some points in Botan's book, right?

I'm actually getting sleepy, so combine that with my lack of visual for a good opening post that doesn't include running into Botan, maybe it would be better if your perspective starts it? Kurama can't completely place the pieces together as of yet. As of now he's finding it strange, but not the sign of a threat from Spirit World at large. I think this is a good start for Botan.