Ryuke entered the hospital room, once more through the window.

Observing Gaara was asleep, he moved silently to a nearby chair, and sat down. Tilting his mask up, he reformed his icy toothpick, and sat for the better part of 2 hours letting him wake up.

After the better part of a couple hours Gaara had awakened, Looking over at Ryuke He had a quick glance then looked back to His foot-board.

Are you any better Gaara?

He tilted his head, observing several flowers on a nearby table.

Likely from his guests last night

Gaara had continued looking over at te footboard.


Yes....Much better

You know Gaara, despite what you think there is in no shame in losing. Everyone loses once in a while. There is no shame in defeat. Understand, learn and defeat them the next chance you get. Pain is understanding.

His icy blue eyes looked unblinkingly, yet calmly at Gaara though the slits in his ANBU mask.

Ryuke...I do not think I will ever understand from You're perspective


Gaara had shifted His head on the pillow as the nurse arrived with breakfast then put the food on a chair beside Him.

Ryuke said nothing at first. He sat watching Gaara for several moments before speaking again.

Perhaps not Gaara, but in the least you can stop thinking so low of yourself. Defeat or not, you are still Kazekage of the sand village, and others will look at you for strength. When will you stop seeing though your eyes, or trying to see through mine, and think of what THEY see?

Gaara had listened and wondered

Hmm..What do they see in Me?

Enlighten Me...What do "THEY" See?

Gaara had listened and wondered on all those words then He had realised the explanation between the Necklace...The unexpected visitors....Could it be He was actually loved?

Ryuke observed Gaara for several moments.

He is, why doesn't he get is. Is he so caught up in his own fears that he does not realize that others want him safe and cared for?

The tilted his head to the window, he removed his mask and let the wind blow through his hair.

His skin was pallid white and clean, his eyes icy blue but calm, and his hair a deep blue, the many strands glowing along his face. He looked frozen alive, yet very much alive.

There are many things in this world that cannot be explained Gaara... Pain is one of them. Its not alive, not dead, its not in your soul, nor your body, in your heart or in your flesh, yet it hurts and eats away. yet its neither man nor beast to do so. Yet it consumes and it hates.

A hint of sadness reflected in Ryuke's eyes for a moment, before he looked Gaara from the corner of his eyes.

But the worst thing you can do is let it eat you alive, and eat away who you are.

Gaara sat up His back against the wall as He said.

I have little wish for Pain to consume Me...Although...It seems inevitable

It is inevitable. But the way you deal with it, and your power to hold it back is what makes you strong. Its what makes you who you are. Its what makes you worthy of being Kazekage. Stop dwelling on the pain, accept it, and deal with it, but do not lose it, for Pain cuts not only you, but others as well.

The sadness in his eyes grew even more apparent after his last comment.

Gaara had actually took these words to head and rethought His opinion on life.

I understand...Thank You

Ryuke sighed and looked out he window once more.

He sat there for several minutes, looking at the sky, before placing his ANBU mask back on, and began to walk to the window.

It should be another 1-2 days Gaara, then i shell escort you to the Hidden Sand Village. You should be healed by then.