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

Chapter 30

Two days passed, then two weeks, then two months. Days fell into a rhythm and time stopped meaning much. Minoko got to know the others better.

Mia, while overall disinterested in Minoko, wasn't cruel. She would occasionally share tidbits of life. The auburn haired woman had a quick and biting wit and wouldn't take any perceived slight lying down. She even defended Minoko once or twice from some comment that she couldn't hear from the other cells. She had an antagonistic relationship with Hotaka and they would fight almost constantly over any small thing. It was an interesting part of the day and made time pass by quicker when watching the two of them go at it.

Koumi would sing or hum tunes and take requests. She lamented the fact that she couldn't have an instrument to play while she was there, but she did the best she could with what she had. You would think the constant singing would eventually grow old or irritating, but it was surprisingly soothing for everyone there. Even the guards would sporadically request a song from her. She was kind and offered assistance when needed, but she also had a mischievous side to her that popped out occasionally.

Saki taught Minoko shogi. It was one of the few games that were in the cell to keep them entertained. There was also go, a deck of cards, and several books to choose from. Whatever little things kind guards would give them to stop them from going crazy with boredom. Saki was kind and patient, making a comment about what it must be like to have a grandchild with her there. She was mildly shocked to see how quickly Minoko grasped the game. After the first game, the following ones would progressively take longer to win. Saki hadn't lost yet, not even close, but she no longer tried to hide her skill from the now-six-year-old.

Muni pulled her in with the guys and taught her how to play cards. They used whatever little trinkets they could find (usually shogi and go pieces) as chips. She learned how to bet, when to fold, how to keep her face free of emotions. She slowly learned the ticks of each player that helped her to win a few hands. Muni was so pleased to have a bit of a challenge with a new player and would constantly ruffle her hair. At first she wasn't sure if he was being condescending because of her age, but it turned out that he was genuinely affectionate with most people. He showed it in different ways with different people. Some he would nudge in the arm, others he would clap on the back, and most times with the women he would simply place a hand on their shoulder. No one took offence and everyone knew he was only being friendly and didn't have an ulterior motive.

Hotoka was the hardest person to get to know. He was quiet and reluctant to talk with others. He usually tried to shy away from conversations that didn't involve a sarcastic jab at Mia and could usually be seen with a book in hand. He probably read all the books provided for them several times already, but that never stopped him. He would rarely join the card games, and usually only at Muni's insistence. He had a decent poker face, but oftentimes his irritation would show through a vein in his forehead sticking out further than usual. Minoko didn't really like him much.

Ganjou was easy to talk to. He was a gentle giant. Once, when Minoko complained about not feeling as energetic as she was used to, he explained that it was the chakra cuffs draining her chakra, which caused the lethargy she was feeling. He explained that it took a few months to really get used to it. Ganjou took it upon himself to help her with taijutsu forms. It was one of the few physical activities that everyone agreed on. All of them were shinobi…or, rather, former shinobi. Regardless of their situation, none of them wanted to feel weak and would keep up their old training regime as best as they could. Ganjou, being the resident taijutsu expert, usually led several sessions for those that wanted to try something new. Minoko loved training with him. It made her muscles ache and her lungs protest, but she started to slowly feel like herself again.

Shisha was a constant high point in the day for her. The woman would tell her stories about missions that she had taken in the past and the different places that she had been to. The people that she met and the cultures that she learned about. It was better than reading about the subjects like Minoko was used to because she could ask questions and bounce ideas off of her. Shisha would brush her hair in the morning and make sure that she would take a break from training or games to eat the meager meals that were brought to them throughout the day. When she had trouble sleeping, Shisha would let her rest in her arms and use her as a pillow while gently rubbing her back. It was like having a mom again. One that accepted her. All of her. It was a bittersweet sensation.

Minoko learned about the shift changes and schedules for the guards. They worked in twelve hour shifts and the same guards would work there for about a week before they changed people. It turns out it was required for chunin and jonin to take a guard shift every so often since no one volunteered for a permanent position there. Occasionally a genin was recruited for the job in the less violent sectors. She heard them grumbling about it often enough to figure out it was almost a punishment for minor offences or for being unruly or lazy in the field.

One guard would stay near the door to the stairwell for twelve hours. The only break in the monotony would be another shinobi coming in with food for the guard and prisoners and the occasional bathroom break.

One time in the first month, there was a slight change to the usual schedule. A shinobi came in and talked about a diplomat from a large trading company arriving. It didn't seem like anything interesting at first, but then the shinobi and guard started walking along the hallway looking into the cells one by one. They stopped at one near the end and pulled out a ring of keys, unlocking the cell. The shinobi that came in grabbed one of the women in the cells and dragged her out while the guard stopped the others in the cell from doing anything. The woman was screaming and trying to get away. She begged to be left in the cell. Minoko watched with wide eyes as the woman she didn't even know the name of was knocked unconscious and thrown over the shinobi's shoulder. After a nod to the guard locking the cell again, he turned and left. The guard went back to his chair by the stairs as though nothing had happened. The other prisoners looked resigned and Minoko was just confused.

"What just happened?" she whispered to Shisha, who had been trying to shield Minoko from view during the whole process.

"You don't need to know little one. Just…hide when a shinobi comes and talks about diplomats or visiting officials. Promise me you'll hide."

Minoko slowly nodded, "I promise as long as you tell me why."

Shisha's face pinched slightly, "You're too young to worry about stuff like this."

"Stuff like what? What aren't you telling me?"

Hotoka scoffed and looked up from his book, a sneer on his face, "She's gone kid. You'll never see her again."

"Shut up Hotoka! She doesn't need to know!"

"Fuck off. She's stuck here like the rest of us, she'll have to learn eventually."

"He's not wrong," Mia said, interjecting gently before Shisha could retort. Minoko started a bit as it was a rare day in hell when Mia agreed with Hotaka. The glare sent her way was shrugged off.

"Shisha," Muni walked over and sat in front of them, his usually jovial face suddenly serious, "It'd be better if she heard it from us."

Shisha stared at him for a while, seeming to have a quiet conversation. Eventually she sagged in defeat and gestured for him to go ahead.

Muni looked at the confused girl and attempted a smile, "Minoko, the woman that was taken won't be returning. We don't know if she'll be killed or if she'll be sold, but she won't be coming back." He took a deep breath and looked like he was debating continuing. "When important people come to Suna, the Kazekage wants them to have…fun. He thinks it will make them more susceptible to agreeing with a deal that leans more in Suna's favor. He uses the prisoners from this sector and gives them to the officials and diplomats to use as they like. Afterwards, the prisoner is either killed or sold to the visitor depending on the situation."

"But…but that should be illegal! Slavery is illegal and I was even given a mission to kill a trafficking ringleader! Why would the Kazekage do that?"

Shisha and Muni shared a look and shrugged. Shisha ran her fingers through Minoko's hair as she softly replied, "Who knows. Not all of the Kazekage's decisions make sense. There doesn't seem to be much rhyme or reason to them. He's the leader, so he can't exactly be arrested for allowing slavery to happen under his watch. As long as the daimyo doesn't know, no one can touch him."

Minoko shook her head, "That's not right."

"No it's not, but there's nothing that we can do about it."

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