I has a chezburger, ur, I mean, a party. ((desert_gaara))

[thedeath_of_you]

If all things have gone right with the Nexus and Botan's ability to send things, Gaara should find a pink envelope on his desk. In her trademark bubble characters, the note (translated, of course) reads as follows:

Gaara

Comments

[desert_gaara]

To be honest, Gaara has never been one for social gatherings. Had the invitation been from someone else, he woudl have declined if he'd even botehred to reply at all. But this was Botan. And if she wanted him to come, he'd at least make an effort.

'Something nice' wasn't far from his usual clothes; black pants and red coat, though he did switch the mesh-shirt for a more normal shirt. He had observed a bit when they went to her world so he thought he had at least some idea on the style of dress. Besides, the coat offered a place to conceal one or two kunais and a bit of sand. The gourd would hardly go unnoticed after all, so that had to stay behind.

He wasn't exactly nervous or anxious when he stepped through the portal to meet Botan. But he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he shoudl approach this as some sort of mission.

[desert_gaara]

Gaara's sigh is more an internal one. "So one bridge crossed, then? Did I burn it too?"

[thedeath_of_you]

"Hiei-san is...how would you put this, sort of a jerk." And the ocean is blue. "Don't worry about him," she holds on to his arm, "he's like that with everyone. I don't get it. He just seems to have a problem with my bubbliness, I suppose. We're like complete opposites, but the kind that hate each others guts, I think."

[desert_gaara]

"I'm almost hoping he'll try to pick a fight later on." He looks serious enough when he says this, but perhaps Botan has learned to read him well enoug to see that he's joking. Well, partially, at least.

[thedeath_of_you]

She laughs. "Don't be too harsh on him. Save some room for Yuusuke, ne?"

Times seems to fly when you're having fun, as they're almost to the top of the summit. Over the last step, they can see the temple, simple but beautiful. On the front porch there are two women, both smoking. One is a tall, lanky woman in her late twenties with long brown hair; the other is an elderly woman, tiny and yellowed with age, her faded pink hair falling on her shoulders. They both look at the pair as they approach.

[desert_gaara]

"You make it sound like this will turn out to be a tournament."

As they approach the ladies, Gaara bows his head in greeting.

[thedeath_of_you]

"You never know here. It's a good possibility." A sweatdrop.

"Ah, Gaara. I'd like you to meet these two. This is Kuwabara Shizuru," a point to the younger woman, "Kuwabara's sister. And this," she turns to the old woman and bows, "is Genkai-san."

The two chime in their greeting. Shizuru looks over Gaara apprasingly. "You've caught a good one, Botan. He's not a crazy millionaire, is he? I thought I set an example for that."

[desert_gaara]

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Gaara says, bowing his head again. He does have manners when he wants to.

And then to adress Shizuru's comment. "I think that would depend on who you ask."

[thedeath_of_you]

Shizuru shrugs. "As long as you don't leave Botan in a crumbling stadium with more questions than answers, it's alright." Oh, and there she goes. Off into her own world.

"He'll protect her. I know it." Genkai smirks up at him. "She needs it. She'll get herself killed otherwise."

"Yo, Gaara!" Yuusuke and Kuwabara have spotted you! Chance of escape: 0%

[desert_gaara]

That comment earned Genkai a good and honest, if small, smile. Of course he'll protect her.

Oh dear. Yuusuke and Kuwabara. What else to do that to charge head long into battle?

"Good evening," he says as a greeting, wondering why they didn't say hello to Botan.

[thedeath_of_you]

"You're still around? Wow, Botan, you must've put out!"

OH SHI

Attack from two sides! Yuusuke gets a punch from both Botan and Genkai, who is very spry for her age.

Kuwabara ignores this for and greets Gaara and Botan politely.

[desert_gaara]

Botan did warn him, but Gaara still gives Yuusuke a disapproving glare. He's gotten good at those. They seem to be most effective if he pretends that he still has the Shukaku to draw upon, but Gaara in himself can be quite intimidating.

But Kuwabara is polite, so he gets treated with respect in return.

[thedeath_of_you]

"There's more where that came from, you disgusting pervert!" If it's possible, Botan sprouts fangs.

And if those two weren't enough, a third member of the group makes himself known. This man is a thin, very feminine redhead, who seems slightly amused. "So, this must be the mysterious Gaara we've heard about."

[desert_gaara]

If Gaara were the type, he'd be going "That's my girl!" and cheer heron. But he's not so he keeps to studying this new arrival.

"So it must be." Gaara replies. "Though you have me at a disadvantage, as I don't know your name."

[thedeath_of_you]

"Minamino Shuiichi is my given name, but for all purposes, I am Kurama." He bows. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

He turns his attention to Botan. "Hello, Botan-san. Are you well?" After a short exchange of pleasantries, he turns to Gaara again. "I must apologize for Hiei's rudeness earlier. I hope he didn't insult you or Botan-san."

"Speaking of Hiei, Gaara-san, your little confrontation with him in the forest has made you a bit of an instant celebrity. Keiko-san and Yukina-san are dying to meet you."

[desert_gaara]

"Not as such, no." He doesn't know what the relationship is between Hiei and Kurama, so once again he holds back a few choice words.

He's almost about to say that he's met Yukina before, but remembers in time that it might not be this Yukina that he met.

"I'm sure there will be time for that." Hey, he's a celeb back home, ina way, he knows how to deal with teh attention.