The rest of the journey went quick after that. Kakashi took point again, with Baiji keeping up a bare few feet behind his shoulder, and Raiji running behind them. The smaller dog circled off every so often to do an outer sweep, checking for followers.

Kakashi was a little surprised how close they made it to Iwagakure before hitting trouble.

Raiji's yelp was the warning. Kakashi banished him in a snap of chakra before anything bladed could cut him off. Baiji skidded to a halt, churning up leaf-mold and cold dirt, then backed up hard against an outcrop of heavy, dark-coloured stone. Protecting Genma.

Four dark shapes flickered on the edge of eyesight. Four new scents bloomed hot and strong.

Kakashi threw up weaponless hands, grinding his instincts down. "Peace!" he shouted. "We're not here to fi--"

Metal flashed; he knocked a kunai aside with his bare forearm. Caught the second by the steel O-ring and flung it point-down into the dirt. Baiji snarled as chakra lashed at him, dancing up on his hind legs; only the mastiff's swift-rising chakra kept Genma from sliding off. Kakashi lunged in front of them, deflecting a shower of shuriken.

"We're not here to fight!" He drew his katana and tossed it down, followed by his kunai pouch. Flung his hands up again. "We need help."

"You got that right." A flicker of chakra and movement became a man, almost a head taller than Kakashi. He stood just out of reach. "You're a long way from home, Leaf-nin."

Bright blue eyes glanced just over Kakashi's shoulder. Kakashi stiffened, then snapped aside when an energy-signature appeared behind his back. Sharpened steel grazed his shoulder; he twisted and caught the blow on the back of his hand, right where ANBU-gloves had a metal plate sewn.

Which would have worked fine, if he'd been wearing ANBU gloves.

"We're here--for amnesty," Kakashi managed, through tightly clenched teeth. It was a sword, held by a woman; he could feel the blade-edge scraping across the small bones in his hand. Blood spilled like a stream down his wrist. "Under the treaty. My teammate needs urgent medical care."

"Mm," said the man with bright blue eyes. "And we should care, why?"

Kakashi wrenched his hand free, sparking hot pain all the way up to his shoulder. The woman pulled the blade back and licked it thoughtfully. Two more ninja had flanked Baiji, forcing him back into an awkward crouch. His teeth were bared, a continuous growl rumbling in his throat.

"Because you'll be risking a war otherwise," Kakashi said, on a slow exhale. Reflexes and years of training screamed at him to start breaking necks. He held himself in check. "Konoha knows where we are. They'll be here soon."

"How long?" The man's eyes ticked to Genma and back.

"Three days," Kakashi said, because lying wouldn't help them here.

"And how long does your teammate have?"

Kakashi exhaled again. "Hours."