Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of its characters.

Chapter 29

Shisha was right when she said the others in the cell weren't bad people.

Minoko looked around the cell at the end of her first day in jail and mentally catalogued the people in her immediate cell.

There was Aisare Shisha, who took it upon herself to act like Minoko's protector. She was probably the youngest person besides herself in the cell. She looked to be about eighteen or so. She was a chunin before she was arrested for failing a mission that was crucial to gaining a contract that could have greatly helped Suna's economy. She had wavy brown hair and brown eyes that were so warm, it made Minoko remember a time when her mommy looked at her the same way. Like she was loved and cared for.

Tanabe Mia had shoulder length auburn hair and brown eyes. Hers weren't as warm as Shisha's but they weren't cruel at all. Merely disinterested. She was also a chunin. She didn't want to talk about why she was there and Minoko didn't want to pry. It wasn't her business and she herself didn't want to talk about what happened that led to her being here either.

Wakayama Koumi had long brown hair that nearly reached her waist and crystal clear blue eyes that drew you in. It was nearly hypnotizing to watch her and listen to her soft voice as she talked. She was a genin and an infiltration specialist. She knew how to play several instruments and could sing beautifully. She was captivating and charming. She made you feel calm just being in her presence. It's probably why she specialized in the field she did.

Ishikawa Saki was probably the oldest one in the cell. She had short brown hair that was streaked with grey, light brown eyes and tan skin. Minoko could imagine how dark she would have been if she was let out in the sun. She was also a genin and was going to be a poison specialist. She made a mistake during the Third Shinobi War and ended up poisoning her own unit. None of them died, but they had to retreat. It ended up costing them ground against the enemy and she was blamed for having the battle drag on for as long as it did. She was severely reprimanded by the third Kazekage and thrown in prison. She was originally supposed to be released after serving ten years in here, but when the fourth Kazekage took over, things changed and she was told she would never see the sun again.

The three men in the cell were kind as well, though they seemed reluctant to socialize with her more than necessary.

Yuitsu Muni seemed to be the most open of the three and the other two always deferred to him. Probably because he was a jonin and had a generally likeable personality. He had purple eyes and messy blonde hair that always seemed to get into his eyes. He smiled easily and liked joking with the others. He was probably the one Minoko was most drawn to after Shisha. He told her that he was there because he disobeyed a direct order from his kage and decided to abandon a mission before it even began. His girlfriend had gone into labor, so he ended up taking her to the hospital instead of going on the time-sensitive mission assigned to him. He didn't have time to properly inform anyone about what was happening. He was able to hold his child once when she was born. It was the first and the last time. As he went to get his girlfriend something to eat, he was waylaid and arrested for his decision. He didn't even know what she was named.

Ikamura Hotaka seemed to be the most standoffish person in the cell. He had short black hair, a short beard, and brown eyes that seemed to bore into you. It felt like you were being judged and found coming up short without him having to say a word. He had thin corded muscle and eluded to the fact that he was a chunin ninjutsu specialist. He stopped talking almost immediately after that, so Minoko quickly moved on to the final person in the cell.

Kita Ganjou had a sturdy build that screamed taijutsu specialist. He said he was a chunin, which Minoko was curious about. He looked more like a jonin to her, but whatever. He had shoulder length brown hair and brown eyes that looked like chocolate. He was very mild mannered, which seemed out of place for his size. He towered over everyone in the cell and nearly doubled the other two men in muscle build, but he had such a calm, almost timid voice. He was edgy about his reason for being sentenced to life in jail and again Minoko didn't push. He ended up rustling her hair gently and gave her a small smile when she easily relented.

Minoko knew that she would take a while to remember everyone's name and learn their personalities better, but she had time. She had so much time. She knew that she wouldn't really bother talking to people in other cells just yet. She was kind of overwhelmed as it was. Not that they didn't seem nice or anything. They had all called out greetings to her and seemed just as affronted to see someone so young in there as Shisha had. Minoko didn't know if she was happy or offended that they all seemed to underestimate her because of her age. She was nearly six, just one more month, but that didn't seem to sway anyone's thoughts regarding her current circumstance.

Minoko shifted in her spot on the floor when Shisha came over and sat beside her. She knew that the young woman wanted to talk. She just had that air to her. Minoko glanced up to see caring brown eyes looking at her with such an open expression that the she almost started crying again. Minoko blinked a few times to hold back the stinging in her eyes. She cried enough already.

"So," Shisha said with a quiet tone, "how are you doing?"

"I'm fine." Minoko replied automatically.

"Mhmm, I'm sure you are fully capable of handling yourself. But I'm asking how you're handling this particular situation. How you're really doing. You don't need to hide how you're feeling. Not with me."

Minoko stayed silent and bit her lip nervously. She really didn't want to cry again.

Shisha sighed lightly. Not in a disappointed or frustrated manner, just a simple sigh, "I know you don't know me yet and I don't know you, but I'm hoping we can be friends. I'd like you to feel like you can talk to me. About anything."

Minoko glanced at her again and sniffled a bit. She wiped a hand across her eyes and sighed out a shaky breath. "I don't know what I'm supposed to do or think," she said quietly. "I…I don't know what's happening out there. My friend was in trouble and I don't know if he's ok. And my daddy…my daddy, "she hiccupped and felt the first traitorous tear fall, "what's going to happen to him? What's he going to think when I don't come home? Mommy already left a while ago. He's going to be alone."

Minoko felt an arm come around her shoulders and she leaned into the warmth of the woman beside her.

"I won't say everything will be alright and things will work out, because we both know that isn't the case. You seem too smart to fall for those lies."

Minoko nodded her head against the woman's side to show she was listening.

"What I can tell you with certainty is that I'm going to take care of you to the very best of my abilities. I can't replace your family or your friend, but we can stick together anyways, right?"

Minoko glanced up at Shisha and nodded slowly.

Shisha smiled and wiped the tears still clinging to the corners of Minoko's eyes.

"You'll get through this. You're not alone."

…

Gaara looked in the mirror and hissed in what he could only imagine was pain. He never felt physical pain before, but the new scar on his forehead made him realize he never wanted to feel it again. The blood red kanji seemed to mock him. Love. Love like the lies his uncle fed to him. Love like the care of Minoko that was gone forever. Love. Who could love him now? Without Minoko to keep him grounded, who could love him? According to his uncle he was unloveable. He could only love himself and no one else. Right?

He touched the edges of the scar and hissed again. He turned from the mirror and walked out of the bathroom. His room wasn't bare like most people would think. He had several bookshelves filled with books and scrolls of all kinds to keep him awake at night. His window sill was filled with cacti in different stages of growth. He would have to take one of them to the greenhouse soon. It was getting too big for the pot it was in.

He glanced over at the desk in the corner of the room and walked over listlessly. The notebook on top of the desk seemed to mock him more than the kanji. It was filled with stories about her. Her and him and their adventures together that they would never have again.

He absently opened the cover and gazed at the picture that stared back at him. Slowly he sat down in the chair and started to flip through the book. It was his last connection. His only connection. He read about sand castles and training. He read about finding a lost pet gecko during a D rank mission. He read about…about…Kiku and Yuri at the temple.

Gaara blinked slowly. He should probably go and tell them that Minoko wouldn't visit anymore. He…should he go? He was a monster, right? Maybe he shouldn't be around an innocent family like them. What if he hurt them?

Gaara expected to feel rage from Mother at the thought, but she was strangely quiet after last night's events.

Maybe now would be a good time to see them. While Mother was quiet.

He turned another page and read about the birthday party that Minoko and Taru threw for him.

Taru. Gaara blinked slowly. Taru. He…might still care about Gaara. He lost Minoko too. Gaara might be a monster, but Taru never hated him. Not before. Maybe…maybe he could go see him. See how he was. He couldn't be much better than him. They were both alone now.

Gaara looked out the window to gage the time. Just after noon. Maybe…maybe…

Gaara slid from his chair and walked toward the window. He disappeared in a swirl of sand and landed on the street below, startling some villagers passing by. He ignored them and started walking the familiar path to her house. It didn't take long to reach the familiar door. It was so welcoming just days ago. Now Gaara felt a pit of dread in his stomach as he stood outside. He should knock. It as the polite thing to do and Minoko always told him he should be polite. She was so good at that.

He reached forward, almost like his hand was separate from his mind. It was such a common thing for him to do when he was here, it was almost automatic. The rhythmic sound of knocking almost surprised him.

A minute passed before the door creaked open an inch. Gaara looked up to see red rimmed eyes peeking out into the sunlight.

"Gaara," came a croaked voice. His name never sounded more broken than that moment. The door opened wider and he saw the rest of Taru. His clothes were rumpled, he had stubble on his chin, his hair was wild and his eyes were bloodshot from crying. He looked so lost.

Taru cleared his throat and motioned him forward, "Come in."

Gaara entered the house and it suddenly felt colder than he ever remembered it. The lights were all off, but there was plenty of sunlight filtering in through the curtains.

He took off his shoes and followed Taru into the kitchen. Taru moved to make tea and Gaara woodenly took his usual seat at the table. Minutes passed in silence, only broken by the whistle of the kettle. Gaara took the cup handed to him and set it in front of him, just looking at it. Gaara swallowed. He didn't know what to say. What could he say? He didn't even know why he came here.

He looked up and saw Taru staring at him intently. Gaara almost jumped when the man started speaking.

"You know, I always liked you," Taru paused and looked down into his own untouched tea, "Minoko was so…happy when she talked about you. Her whole face would light up. You were one of the best things to happen to her."

Gaara couldn't respond, couldn't force his suddenly dry mouth to form words. He just listened.

"I thought for the longest time that when you got older you two would end up together. Not just friends. You two are…were…so close it seemed like it would be the natural progression of things. I got a bit protective any time I thought about it. Sorry if I was harsh to you at all during that time."

Gaara didn't quite understand what Taru was talking about, but he nodded all the same. Taru laughed brokenly and looked up again, "She was so excited to spend time with you. More than with me at times. I may have been a bit jealous of you. You could understand parts of her life that I never could."

Gaara could see tears start to form in the man's eyes before Taru ducked his head and covered his face with a hand. Gaara slid down off the chair and made his way around the table. He didn't really know what he was doing, but it seemed right. He placed a hand on Taru's arm. The man laughed brokenly and rubbed his face. He looked up at Gaara and attempted a smile.

"Here I am falling apart when you're probably hurting too. What kind of adult am I?"

"A kind one," Gaara responded. It came out unexpectedly, but he didn't regret the words, "You were Minoko's favorite person. She always talked about you too."

Taru gave another broken laugh and sat up straighter, "You're a good kid Gaara. I'm glad that Minoko had you. I'm glad you were her friend."

Taru leaned down and pulled Gaara into a gentle hug. Surprisingly his sand didn't react and Gaara stood frozen for a moment. Minoko was the only one to ever hug him. Even after so long, he wasn't sure how to react. Was this another trick, like with his uncle? But if it was, Mother's sand would have done something by now. So…it must be real? Gaara slowly softened his stance and leaned into the hug. It was so warm.

Gaara felt tears start to fall and he buried his face in Taru's shoulder.

"We'll be ok Gaara," Taru said in a shaky breath, "We'll be ok. Not anytime soon, but we will be someday." The hug tightened a bit, "We're in this together. We're not alone."

A/N: So what do you think about this segue chapter? Let me know!