Disclaimer: Yu Yu Hakusho belongs to Yoshihiro Togashi and this is just a fanfiction. I do not claim this anime except the original characters in this story just so you know.

A Glitch in Time
Chapter 4- Uh-oh

Ashley: Yay, chapter 4! Thank you everyone for the reviews, they really helped me. I think this is the farthest I've ever gotten on a fanfiction, but I really want to finish this so...

"You're Youko Kurama?" The name jogged something in Mei's memory. "You're the person the demon bulls were after..."

"That's correct. I stole their Talon Pendent. It's proven difficult to fight them with such a great item in my arms so you were the perfect distraction," Kurama replied indifferently.

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. This demon, this thief, was the reason those beasts almost devoured her, and he's sitting here acting like it's no big deal. Then again, he is a demon, so who knows what other sadistic things he's capable of.

"I saved your life, therefore we're even."

"I didn't need saving until you came along. And we're not even. I can barely stand up."

Ignoring her comments, he withdrew something from his white robe. "This fan belongs to you does it not?" Kurama was holding out a blood-stained silver fan, and seeing the look of recognition on the girl's face, laid it down beside her. "I'm leaving; I have other things to do." There was a note of finale in his voice.

Mei hesitated. Kurama did not present much comfort, but if everything he said was true, and humans are a meal in the Makai, then she can't lie around until it's her turn to be eaten. Nevertheless, how does she know Kurama won't take a bite out of her? What choice do I have? "Wait... umm... would you take me with you?"

-----

"Botan! How could you have messed up something this important!" They were in Koenma's office, and the very distressed Koenma was pacing around it without end.

"I'm sorry Lord Koenma, I didn't know," the spirit guide apologized for the hundredth time. "Mei needed to be on the platform for Kurama to be taken to her past, but it didn't say anywhere on the script that the time vortex would work vice versa and bring Mei to Kurama's past." Her narrowed eyes darted back and forth on the piece of parchment in her hand, as if it was playing a trick and she was determined to find it.

"You of all people should know the dangers of time travel. A fatal error like this will sure to be disastrous." Koenma rubbed his chin and muttered in a smaller voice, "It would be a lot more disastrous if my dad found out..."

"Well, the good thing is that Kurama's scheduled to come back in a week, so Mei would be back too."

"What? A week! We can't wait that long! Kurama knows what to do in the past, but Mei can totally alter the course of history! In fact, even as we speak, Kurama's memory's most likely being modified."

Botan looked rather uncomfortable. "What about Mei's memory?"

"She's lucky. She won't remember anything before the age of 5." Koenma jumped back onto his chair. "What worries me most..." he paused. "Do you know how many years Mei was sent back?"

"Yes, 17 years. But what does that have anything to do with- Oh my gosh!" Boton looked horrorstruck. 1973. That's the year Youko Kurama was shot by a bounty hunter.

"If Mei somehow prevents Kurama from getting killed, then his whole future would be changed. Botan, you must bring Mei back here as soon as possible."

Botan nodded determinedly, materialized her oar, and floated out of the bustling room.

Koenma frowned at the pile of paper stacked on his desk. He knew the chance of Mei saving Youko Kurama was slim to none, but he needed to get Mei back here, and the only way to rush Botan was to manipulate her. He smiled at his own ingenuity. "Botan has grown fond of the present day Kurama. Ha, I'm so smart. I guess that's why I'm the judge of the spirit world."

"Did you say something?" George, his assistant, asked from behind his chair.

"No. What are you doing creeping around next to me? Shouldn't you be working?" he demanded, irritated at being interrupted in the middle of his self acknowledgements.

"Uhh... but Koenma sir, this is my job."

-----

"We're here." Kurama dropped Mei on the floor unceremoniously.

It had been very difficult to convince the demon thief not to leave her behind, but Mei had been persistent enough to triumph in the end. And now that she's in his home base, she wondered if she'd done the right thing. Kurama was, after all, the leader of a group of other demon thieves, all of whom are glaring down at her this very instant.

Ashley: Oh wow, I finished this chapter a lot faster than the other ones. I guess that means I'm getting better at writing xp. The plot is now more developed. I bet you weren't expecting Botan and Koenma to have planned to send kurama/shuichi into mei's past. Ok, plz review