It's not too late, it's never too late...

[thedeath_of_you]

((Continued from hereIn the home of the Kazekage, things are far from cheery. Gaara stands looking out a window, his siblings Kankuro and Temari looking at him from across the room. They had been surprised at such an urgent call. Botan stands near Gaara, biting her lip. Beside her was a bandaged and bruised, but otherwise okay Hinageshi. She looks

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[desert_gaara]

"Not angry, Botan. Not angry." He crouches down in front of her, resting his elbows on his knees. "More news from Hiei. Apaprently he's sending two demon shinobi to our assistance. Jin and Touya. Do you know of them?"

[desert_gaara]

?!

Instinctively Gaara supports her and holds her upright, and then lowers her gently to sit on the ground with her back against the he wall.

"Botan? Botan, talk to me." He keeps his voice as calm and steady as he can.

[thedeath_of_you]

"They're coming. They're so close. I can-I can't." She cradles her head. "That one with the Jagan eye, he put images in my mind." Frantically, she tries to compose herself. She can't let her mind crack open like a nut.

[desert_gaara]

Too fast. Too godddamned fast!

He turns to look over his shoulder and shouts at a nearby guard. "Stations!" Teh order spreads like wildfire and has teh entire village up in arms in a flash.

"I'm getting you out of here to the hospital," he says, gathering her up in his arms and start to quickly move down teh stairs. While he would like to have her just hidden away in safety, he knows she'd never agree. "Please help take care of teh wounded that will come in."

[thedeath_of_you]

She looks at him, almost wanting to defy his orders. "Okay. You'll make sure Hinageshi gets to safety, won't you? She's very dear to me..." Botan clutches his sleeve.

In the shadows of the wall, someone, someone not very human is biding her time.

[desert_gaara]

He nods and jumps from a roof to another with a burst of chakra to his feet, terribly unaware of that shadowed figure.

"I'll bring her there after I've dropped you off."

[thedeath_of_you]

In the confusion, three strange men have found themselves prisoners to several jounin. The leader, a man with a mop of red hair and perky elf ears, is trying to weasal out. "Ah, laddies, it ain't us ya be wantin, you ca' bet yer boots."

Botan and Gaara may see this as they pass by.

[desert_gaara]

Gaara does pause on the edge of a roof. "Friend of foe?" He ashs Botan, setting her down for now.

[thedeath_of_you]

Botan's already calling over the edge. "Jin! Jin! Up here!"

The man looks up. "Botan! Botan, lassie, please tell these good gentlemen 'ere that we mean 'em no 'arm. Lemme go!"

[desert_gaara]

Ah. Friend. Well then...

Gaara makes a sign for the jounins to let them go. "So you gentlemen are our reinforcements?"

[thedeath_of_you]

"Sure are, lad!" His ears perk even higher. "Jin, win shinobi, I am."

The paler, much shorter man speaks. "Touya, ice shinobi." He looks miserable.

The tall man with the mohawk is quite drunk. "I'm Chuu, and I'm bored!"

[desert_gaara]

Gaara doesn't seem to be all that impressed by any of them. "The word was that there would be two of you. Not three. So I'm wondering..." He fixes his eyes on Chuu. "Who are you?"

[thedeath_of_you]

Jin shrugs. "This drunkard is our backup. He follows us wherever we go. He's annoying, but good in a pinch. The lassie can vouch for him."

Chuu is trying to find Botan. "Oi, shiela, were are ya? Let me take a look atcha."

[desert_gaara]

Okay, so they have reinforcements, but not by much and just when it seems that everything is about to start.

"This is not the time. Give me any vital info you have, such as the location of their point of entry, and do so quickly."

[thedeath_of_you]

Touya makes his way to the front. Like Hiei, he's small and serious. "They'll be coming from the northeastern direction, sir. I'd say it'll take them, ten, fifteen minutes to get here from there current location. The first wave will be scum...I mean, lower levels."

[desert_gaara]

Okay, that's a start, even if Gaara suddenly feels like he's needed at three places at once. That's why he's so happy to spot Temari further down the road. He lets out a shrill whistle and calls for her to come.

"Temari, take Botan, Jin and Chuu with you to the hospital. Get Hinageshi from my quarters on your way." He shouldn't even have to tell her to press the two outsiders for as much info as she could.

"You," he looks at Touya. "come with me."