Ningyo (Doll)

Chapter 1- Smile

"Here you go, miss." The clerk told her, and she smiled, taking the large bags, "Um- do you- need help carrying those?" The clerk asked shyly, and she shook her head, bowing slightly, and walking off. She balanced the brown paper bags of groceries in her arms, smiling. She looked up, dark storm clouds gathering overhead, as she walked towards the forest. Another perfectly lovely day, as she disappeared in the dark shadows of the oaks and pines.

~O~ Elsewhere ~O~

She stood in the kitchen, smiling gently as she cooked, lifting a ladle to her lips and tasting the stew. Her hand reached up to the shelf above the stove, and she took the salt down and shook it a few times over the pot. "Something smells good." Someone remarked, and she smiled brightly, looking at the door way, a grey-haired ninja in the door way. He walked over, as she stirred the stew, and spooned up a small taste for the man. He took the ladle and helped himself, "Your cooking has gotten even better, Saya." Saya smiled happily, and clapped her hands twice, before he handed the ladle back, "I'll go get everyone ready for dinner.

He left, and she filled three bowls of the stew, and she turned the oven off. Moving the pot to a cool burner, she put a lid on it, and set the table for the others in the house. Saya smiled as the grey-haired man returned, and a black-haired man, sat down before she sat herself down. "Did you have any trouble finding the groceries?" The black-haired man, Saya shaking her hand, and looked down. She ate in the same silence she'd always eaten, not a single word uttered to neither of the men in the time span they'd known her.

"Saya, why don't you talk?" The Black- Haired man asked. He had known her for less than they grey-haired male did. "Has she ever spoken around you, Kabuto?" The man asked the other, who shook his head,

"Not a word." Kabuto said, pushing his glasses up, as Saya helped herself to her portion of the meal. "She can read and write, she just doesn't seem to speak. Sorry, Madara, I can't really tell you much else. I hardly know anything." Saya looked at Kabuto, "Does it bother you that we're talking about you?" Saya shook her head and continued eating.

"How did you come across her?" Madara, the black-haired male, asked Kabuto.

"She came across us, actually," Kabuto said, "When I was with Orochimaru." Madara nodded. Saya stood up, bowing, getting more food, and leaving the dining room. The two watched, as she opened a large window, as rain fell outside, she pulled herself onto the window sill and continued eating her second serving of stew. She smiled happily as she ate, watching as the rain fell down.

"I've noticed she vanishes for a few days during the middle of the month." Madara said, Kabuto looking at him as he got seconds for himself, "I'm suspicious that she's a spy."

"Orochimaru assumed that as well. We followed her when she left. She went to the closest lake, and spends time with an elderly woman during her monthly cycle." Kabuto said, sipping his tea, "The woman was her grandmother, who said that Saya acts strange during those few days, and the water calms her down." He set his tea down as Madara sat down, "The one time we attempted to keep her indoors. We learned it's better to just let her swim around in a body of water instead." Saya entered the room again, looking at Kabuto with a curious look that asked what he was speaking about. "Nothing to worry about, Saya." She smiled, taking his plate, "Could I get seconds?" She nodded and filled the plate up, giving it back, before checking the fridge.

After that, she cleaned up the kitchen, and vanished. "Does she always clean?" Kabuto nodded, his thought to himself.

~O~ Flashback ~O~

"Kabuto, come in here a second. " A dark voice requested, and Kabuto entered the room, Saya sitting in a chair next to the bed, A black-haired man sitting in the bed. "Saya I need to speak to Kabuto alone." She looked scared, the man removing his necklace, and putting it around her neck, "Here. Go play with this outside for a little while." He told her, and Saya got to the feet, going outside of the room, shutting the door discreetly behind her. "Sit down, Kabuto." Kabuto sat down in the seat Saya had been sitting in.

"This is about here, right?" Kabuto asked bluntly, getting straight to the point, "She's recovered now. He can just leave her in the forest." The man shook his head,

"No. Kabuto, in the event that somehow my lifespan becomes…unexpectedly short…I've giving guardianship of Saya to you. " Kabuto stiffened, "She's a good girl, shy, but she's very smart. I believe she just needs the right environment for her. One where she knows a familiar face, in order to open up. Oysters need the ocean to make pearls." Kabuto opened his mouth to protest, and the man held up a hand "She needs stability if she'd going to grow. We can't guarantee that, but you can. She just needs a push in the right direction. When you realize what it is, then I'd like you to give her that push."

~O~ ~O~

"Saya." She flinched, dropping the plate she'd been cleaning. It shattered against the floor, "You're breaking all my nice plates, girl." Madara told her, leaning in the doorway, as she crouched and collected the broken pieces, cutting her finger. "Now you've gone and cut yourself. How terribly clumsy of you." He helped her back to her feet, even though the gesture was kind, he pulled her up roughly, as she tossed the pieces away, "How are you ever going to pay me back, I wonder." She kept her eyes to the ground, not looking at him. Kabuto was no where around, and it was just Madara and herself. "I think I have an idea, on how you can repay me." he purred, taking her hand that held her bleeding finger, and putting the injured appendage in this mouth, licking it clean. She swallowed, as he released it, "I'll give you until tomorrow to make up your mind about my offer. Remember who gives you a roof over your head." He concluded, before leaving, and she scrubbed her finger raw, going off to find Kabuto, who was in his room reading.

"Why are you crying?" Kabuto asked, as she stood next to him, tears rolling down her cheeks, before she hugged him. "What did Madara say to you?" Saya hiccupped and hugged him tighter.

~O~O~O~

"Let me make myself clear. I don't think it's wise to distress the girl who cooks for you." Kabutp told Madara, who leaned back in his chair smugly, lacing his fingers together.

"What ever are you talking about?" Madara asked, and Kabuto frowned, "Did she say that I was the one who bothered her? Maybe it's how you treat her that really distresses her." Kabuto pushed up his glasses,

"I treat her quite well, thank you. Keep in mind, I'm the one who is helping you with your plan." Kabuto reminded him, "You don't need to have any involvement with Saya." Saya stood outside of the room, hiding, "She isn't hindering you." Madara laughed,

"The only thing that's being a hindrance is you. Leave the business between Saya and I between us. If she knows what's good for her, she'll accept my offer."

"Soliciting a child for sex on the false pretense that she has no other choice is not an offer." Kabuto grunted, "You'll scar her for life, and then she won't be willing to do anything for you." Madara scowled,

"It is none of your concern what I do with who I wish. Are you jealous it isn't you?" Madara asked, and Kabuto's temper rose, "I'll give her the time of her life, don't worry. Well, not if you're around."

"Don't look forward to it." Kabuto said, leaving the room and grabbing Saya's hand on the way out. She looked back at Madara, hair twisting to the motion, and he grinned, waving to her, before she turned away. "Ignore him, whatever he saws is a lie." She looked at Kabuto. "When you see him, run as fast as you can to me, understand?" She nodded, and he gestured her into his room. "You'll be sleeping here from now on. I work late, so you'll be fine." Saya looked at him, confused, "There's a method to my madness, I assure you." She nodded, and he sat on the bed, "I suggest you not let him touch you again."

She slept in his room that night, and Kabuto didn't get a wink of sleep, watching the door for Madara. In the morning, his eyes were puffy and red from the previous night. Saya touched his forehead with concern at the breakfast table, "Don't worry about me." Kabuto told her, and she frowned.

"Saya, I'm not feeling well." Madara said, and she shivered, "Come now, Saya, don't forget to check me." Kabuto threw the man a glare, but she went over to him anyways. Madara tilted his head upwards, closing his eyes half way, and watched as she put the back of her hand to his forehead. "Am I unwell?" She shook her head, "Say it." Kabuto gently nudged the girl back away from the man, before giving a warning glare to Madara. "Don't interrupt us, Kabuto. We're having a 'thing'." Madara said, smirking, watching her cook. Saya set down their plates, before Madara grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his lap. She jolted, and he smiled, "Will you sing me a song or something? Come, I heard you sung for Orochimaru." Madara said, Kabuto watching, as Saya winced, "Come. Sing for me too." Saya struggled, getting up, and slapped him across the face, before running out of the kitchen.

"Saya- SAYA!" Kabuto called, leaving, and Madara smiled. That hadn't taken the turn he'd hoped for, but, he knew a little more about her. Kabuto returned, "She's crying, I hope you're happy." Madara grinned, "Leave her to her tears, Madara."

"I suppose I can…for now." Madara said, drinking his tea and eating the meal she made. "She's make a good housewife. Her cooking is amazing too." Kabuto wolfed down his own food, and Madara took his time, watching, as Kabuto left Saya's room and went across the hall, giving him the chance to slip in. "Saya." She wasn't in her bedroom, and he grinned to himself, walking over to the bathroom, as she closed a mirror cabinet, jolting when she saw him in the reflection. "Good afternoon." She whipped around to face him, her hands on the sink counter, eyes red from crying. He slowly walked over, "I'm sorry for what I said earlier. Will you forgive me?" Saya nodded reluctantly, and Madara smiled, "I didn't know what I said would hurt you so much. Come here."

She stared at him uneasily, and looked away, as he stood there, arms open slightly to her. Saya went over and gave him a quick hug, darting off before he pulled her over to him, "No, no, Saya, not this time." Madara told her, and hugged her, Saya blushing. "You can cry as much as you want, you can even hit me if you want." Says withdrew, and hit him repeatedly, before she started crying again. He held her, grinning, patting her back as she cried. "There, there, I'm here." She calmed down, "Let me take care of everything, Saya. You'll never have to worry about anything again." She blinked, as he sneered. "I'll come back later. Look forward to it, Saya." He told her, before leaving her.

"Zetsu, I need you to do something for me." Madara said, later that evening, in his room, smoking on a long pipe, "Could you check and see if the safe house is inhabitable for a woman? You know- clean, garden trimmed, dusted?" Zetsu nodded and left, as Madara continued to smoke, relaxing in his chair, looking over his papers. He exhaled white smoke, as he turned a page, before Kabuto burst into his room. "Who said you could come in?" Madara said, exhaling once more, sweet-smelling smoke filling the room. "I know that I didn't."

"I warned you, Madara." Kabuto reminded him, and Madara grinned, taking another hit. "Why must you patronize her?"

"What are you talking about? I didn't bother her." Madara responded, looking over his papers, "I think she needed a shoulder to cry on. Thus, I comforted her." Madara exhaled, leaning back, puffing more on his pipe calmly. "That's all did." Kabuto wasn't pleased with this answer and he slammed his hands down on Madara's desk in an attempt to intimidate him.

"Leave her alone." He said only to have a ring of smoke blown in his face, as Madara sneered. "She's not a threat to you, just leave her be." Madara ignored whatever else Kabuto said, before he ran off, and Madara continued going over his financial records that were left untouched since Kakuzu was killed. It was too much of a hassle for Madara to do it. He sighed, skimming the papers. Now that there was only 3 people, the cost of food would be reduced anyways. Speaking of food…Madara had never witnessed Saya eating. She made food for them, either left the room or push food around on her plate. Like she was mentally debating whether she should eat or not. So…what did she eat? Madara walked down the hallway, wondering this, and passed by Saya's room.

"Looks like you've gained a few pounds, Saya." Kabuto's voice said from her room, and Madara peered in silently, as she stood on a scale, a small hopeful smile on her face, fist clenched, as Kabuto wrote something down on his clipboard. "Congratulations. You're now 1 kilo into the weight range you're supposed to be in for your height and age." She smiled happily, earning a pat on the head and her hair ruffled a bit. "Orochimaru would be very proud right now. Stay on your regimen, and you'll be at a good weight in a few weeks. Now sit down and let me check your heart beat." She sat down and held out her arm obediently, watching with interest, as Kabuto put two fingers to her wrist and watched his watch. "Hm. Have you had trouble breathing?" She nodded a little, "Your heart beat is irregular. You don't have to gorge yourself on food to make your weight class, I hope you know. Take time in between meals for your stomach to settle, and you'll be fine." She nodded, and he left the room, stopping when he saw Madara halfway down the hall. Saya's bedroom door shut, the sound of the lock clicking echoed in both their ears.

"Why's she locking the door?" Madara asked, and Kabuto eyed him suspiciously, but said nothing for a long while.

"She doesn't eat around people. I believe she only at around Orochimaru, since he was the one who found her and coaxed her to stay with us." Kabuto said, "I believe she only trusts me because she somehow knows I'm slowly being taken over by him." The door unlocked, but remained closed, "I give her constant check-ups to make sure she's in perfect condition." Madara looked at the door, waiting for some type of motion, but it didn't open. The sound of running water filled the air, slightly defended by the door, but it was there. Madara went back to his room, calling Zetsu over, another clone coming in,

"When she's done bathing, inform me and guard her room from Kabuto. I have to speak with her." Madara said, taking a deep inhale of his pipe, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke, "I don't want that goody-two-shoes interrupting me again, do you understand?" Zetsu nodded, "Good- make sure there are two or three others in the room as well. You're dismissed." The clone vanished into the floor, another appearing, "What is it?"

"The Safe house has been cleaned." He reported, "It's inhabitable. Only a small portion has been cleaned- the deeper parts, debris has collected from recent earth quakes. It's being cleaned too." Madara nodded. He got up and headed over to her room when he'd been informed that she'd finished bathing, and she stood in the middle of her room, in a towel.

"Feel free to get changed." Madara purred, but she watched him. "Well?" She loosened the towel slightly, revealing an almost see through material- her night gown. "I see. You are dressed already. Well, This would be much less awkward if you took the towel off, yes?" The lights in the room flickered, before his eye sight went black and his face felt slightly wet. Madara pulled down the towel from his face that she'd thrown, and she was wrapped in a satin night gown, tying the sash to it. "Hahaha, quick as a rabbit I see." Saya stood there, unmoving, even as he walked over. "Saya, were you looking forward to tonight?" She shook her head and sighed, "Oh, no need to act like that now." Madara moved to touch her, but she smacked his hand away, narrowing her eyes at him. "So cold."

She glanced at the door past him, then back at Madara, not uttering a single word, and walked over to a nightstand that held a vase of flowers on it. "Saya, I believe that you can do far better than Kabuto," Madara said, as she gently rubbed the flower petals between her fingers. "That's why, I think you should willingly leave him for me." In a blur, the flower vase smashed against the wall just above her bed, and she turned around, "You didn't hit me, I hope you know." Saya smiled warmly- but in that smile, there was a dark purpose. True, she hadn't hit him, but when Madara realized what she had hit, he yelled "Block the door." To the Zetsu doubles. She had hit the weakest part of the wall- and it gave away to Kabuto's room that he used as a laboratory.

She had alerted Kabuto to a disturbance in her room, and when that vase hit the wall, he was banging down the door almost. "Did you test the walls for weaknesses?" Madara asked curiously. How had she done it? There were a series of groans, and each zetsu had a needle in their lower leg, only one leg for each- but it hindered them from being able to hold the door back as long as they thought they could. There were four needles in their legs, but she didn't seem to have any more. Madara laughed, "Excellent!" He picked her up, and she flinched from the contact, even if it was through cloth, as the door broke down. Kabuto slaughtered the Zetsu clones, but she was already gone- and so was Madara.