Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

She can Talk!

In the weeks that followed, the Inuzukas got accustomed to the quiet little black-haired girl living amongst them. They were used to seeing her shadowing Kouta as the two children went to and from school. After a week of housing the girl who still hadn't talked, Tsume thought Manami had been wearing Kiba's old clothes long enough. So, she dragged her fosterling to a clothing shop after school one day. Shopping was never a chore Tsume enjoyed. But at least the pup turned out to be a girl of simple tastes. Not that Tsume was surprised. Manami was happy with a few sets of black shorts and green t-shirts. And it was the shortest shopping trip Tsume ever had to endure.

Low maintenance is how Tsume would describe the girl. At mealtimes, Manami would eat anything that was put in front of her; including vegetables. She did her homework without being told. And as soon as 21:00 came around, Manami would put herself to bed. It wasn't a bedtime Tsume enforced, but she could guess who had. What she couldn't fully wrap her head around was why the pup would follow the rules made by a ghost.

Bedtime wasn't the only routine Manami followed. As Tsume and the rest of the Inuzukas observed. She got herself up at the same time every morning; even if it was a day off. She'd stretch and run kata. Many mornings Tsume awoke to Kuromaru alerting her that her ward had left the house. But the pup never went far. Tsume could always see her from her bedroom window. Some mornings Manami would run through the academy standard. Other mornings, Manami practiced a form Tsume didn't recognize. Though she had a feeling that it was something Uchiha specific. Manami would go on to meditate and practice kicks and punches. If it wasn't for Kouta pulling her away from training to play tag, keep-away, and other eight-year-old boy games, Tsume thought the little girl in her care would spend all her free time training. That was Tsume's only concern regarding her fosterling. Other than that, the girl was no trouble.

So Tsume was taken back when Manami came home from school one day with red angry scratches on her cheeks, bruised knuckles, and a note home from Iruka. Kouta was glued to Manami's side; going on and on about an unsanctioned fight. "It was so cool, Tsume-sama. You would have loved it. Manami tackled this other kid to the ground and just started wailing on her". Kouta's eyes were sparkling with his excitement. But he was the only one. "Oh!" Kouta exclaimed when he got to what he felt was the best part of the story. "And Manami can talk! She yelled right into Izumi's face".

Tsume frowned as her mind caught up with everything she was seeing and hearing. But it didn't take her long. As a practiced parental figure, she turned a stern eye to Manami. "What happened?" she asked in a low growl. Manami was having a difficult time looking Tsume in the eye.

Kouta opened his month. After weeks of this, he was well accustomed to talking for his new friend. "We were running laps and-"

But Tsume wasn't having it this time around. "You said she can talk", she cut Kouta off before narrowing her eyes at the little girl. "So, talk". She directed this order at Manami.

A tense silence hung in the air as both Tsume and Kouta stared at Manami; waiting for her to step up to the plate. But the girl kept her lips firmly pressed together. She knew she had made a mistake yelling at the other girl. Her father would have made her run until she dropped for breaking like that. But… but Manami had to. Manami couldn't just let her get away with saying things like that…

Kouta shifted uncomfortably amongst all the silence. He hated anything quiet and would have been happy to fill it. But even he wasn't willing to go against his clan head. Meanwhile, Tsume folded her arms across her chest and kept her focus on her charge. She had no problem waiting out the little girl and knew that the right type of silence was a powerful motivator.

It was minutes before the little girl muttered an almost incomprehensible, "I am not supposed to". Her voice was rough a dry from lack of use.

If it wasn't for Kouta's and Tsume's enhanced senses, they wouldn't have heard her at all. "Not supposed to do what?" Tsume pressed. Of course, Manami had done something she wasn't supposed to. Unsanctioned fights and notes home from her teacher all fell in the category of rule-breaking. But Tsume had a feeling that those weren't the broken rules Manami was referring to.

Manami refused to look at Tsume. She wasn't looking at Kouta either; finding the floor much more interesting. Which was another one of her father's rules she was casting aside today; never look away from a threat. Manami couldn't help but think how disappointed he would be if he was with her today. "Talk", she muttered lowly again. As if she spoke at a low enough volume, it wouldn't count as breaking her father's golden rule. But now that she had started, Manami was finding it difficult to stop. "I do not exist. You can talk if you do not exist".

Tsume was straining to hear her but was able to piece things together and it had her frowning. Kouta, on the other hand, was standing off to the side feeling confused. "Who said you don't exist?" Tsume pushed.

"I should not have yelled at Izumi". Manami hadn't been focusing enough to hear Tsume's question; lost in turbulent thoughts. "But she could not be allowed to say those things. I had to… I had to…" The words that Manami had been suppressing for weeks failed her now that she was using them.

"Izumi's the girl Manami beat up", Kouta supplied to help his clan head, eager to offer any sort of help. Even if he didn't fully understand what was going on. "There was blood all over her face. We think Manami broke her nose!"

However, Tsume's attention remained on her fosterling. This was the most emotion she had seen out of the girl ever since Tsume pulled her from her father's corpse. She knew it was coming. Kids don't just walk away from crap like that. But damn it, if she wasn't in that moment missing the mute little orphan who kept her head down and did as she told. "What did this girl say?" Tsume tried again.

"I am not weird", Manami continued to mutter to herself. Kind of answering Tsume, but seemingly unaware of the exchange. "Not everyone has a last name. I am not weird. And my family is not…. My father is not… was not…." Manami couldn't get over the mental block that was tying her tongue. Not now in this particular moment. Feeling moisture collecting in the corner of her eyes, Manami spun on her heels and dashed out of Tsume's house; ignoring Kouta's calls for her to come back. She had already broken a few of her father's rules today. She did not need to break anymore.

88,89,90. Manami counted as her fist struck the training posts. Each time a stinging pain shot up her forearm, but Manami was happy to endure it. Her knuckles were already bruised after the scuffle she had with that girl from her class. And the training she was doing now wasn't helping them. 91,92,93. But she deserved it. Manami knew she did. It did not matter that she was in a new place with new people that were aware she existed. Manami had started talking to people who weren't her family. She had drawn attention to herself by punching Izumi. She had let her feelings guide her actions. If her father was here, he would have…. 94,95,96,97. Besides, this was the only thing Manami knew how to do. If she trained long enough and hard enough she wouldn't have to think. Or remember. Or feel. She could go back to being numb. 98,99,100!

After the last strike, Manami sprang backward with a series of flips that stretched and pulled the muscles in her back. She hadn't properly warmed up before she had started training, and Manami knew she would be feeling it in the morning. But that was fine. Achy muscles could serve as a reminder. Landing in a defensive stance, Manami panted heavily; shoulders rising and falling with the effort. She didn't know how long she had been at this but thought maybe she could stop now. She felt tired enough. Surely she had done enough. But she wasn't sure her father would have agreed.

The sounds of clapping and one great whooping cheer caused Manami's focus to snap back to her surroundings. With her breath catching in the back of her throat, Manami twirled around and instinctively fell into a low stance; ready to run or defend. Just as her father had taught her. Four figures stood a little way off. All of them were studying the little girl who had wandered onto their favorite training field, but only two of them were responsible for making noise. How long had they been standing there? How long had they been watching? Why were two of them wearing green spandex?

"What an excellent display of youth!" The eldest of the green spandex people said as the clapping and hollering stopped. He took a step forward as Manami's eyebrow started to twitch. Coming from a remote farming town where she only ever saw members of her own household, this was the most eccentric person Manami had ever seen. He was tall, middle-aged, and had shiny black hair that matched his gleaming white teeth. The other three looked younger than him and similar in age. One of them looked like he could be the man's younger cloth; the other person wearing spandex. Then there was the boy who had hair longer than Manami's mother's had been and pupilless white eyes. The only normal-looking person (by Manami's standards) was the single girl in their group.

"Never once did I think that when I would meet my precious ex-students at our usual training field that I would also encounter such a fine example of Konoha's blossoming youth", the middle-aged man said while moving his body to bring life to his words.

Blossoming youth? What does that mean? Manami asked herself as her breathing started to calm to a regular rate. The younger-looking clone nods his head in agreement. "Yes, Gai-Sensei! This shows that every day is full of surprises. This evening, we should train twice as hard to honor this new discovery!" His eyes sparkled with determination at his own words.

Hesitantly, Manami straightened out of her stance. They did not sound like they were displeased that she was here… that was good right? The girl in the group groans and covers her eyes with one of her hands. "We shouldn't have to train harder every time something gets you two fired up", she said.

Manami's coal-black eyes started flickering back and forth from the four strangers and looking for a way out. She wanted to leave having no desire to deal with whatever… this was. But, as it had just occurred to her, Manami didn't know where she was. After Tsume had demanded that she tell her everything that happened with Izumi, Manami had run from the Inuzuka compound without a thought about where she was going. She had just been…. Running. But still…. Manami thought as she slowly started to inch away from the four strangers. Maybe if she didn't make any noise they won't notice her leaving. And then Manami could work out how to make it back to Tsume's house after she was in the clear.

"But Tenten, such dedication at such a young age must be respected. And what better way is there to show respect than to show dedication ourselves?" The clone asked, turning to face the girl.

Manami kept an eye on the four as she worked to get to the edge of the training field. The sun was starting to set and she maybe had an hour or two of light left to help her find her way back to her foster family. That should be enough time. Or at least, Manami hoped.

The middle-aged man turned to face his younger companions. "That's right Lee!" The man exclaimed with gusto. "As shinobi of the leaf village, it is our duty to encourage the village's future generation of shinobi to be full of youth!".

Manami was nearly there. Then she felt like she could work up the energy to run again. She had been walking to and from the academy with Kouta everyday school was in session. Maybe if she could work her way there she could remember the way back to Tsume's. It was a plan at least.

"Then you should know that the future shinobi you want to encourage has wandered off", the boy with long hair said; amusement barely detectable in his tone.

Instantly, Manami's muscles tensed. Oops. She should have paid more attention to the white-eyed boy instead of the talkative ones. It is always the quiet ones that notice everything. Stupid, Manami called herself silently in her head. The three others in the long-haired boy's group returned to looking at the girl.

"Wait", the clone called out as she started to run over. "I must acknowledge you for your youthful attitude!"

The bottoms of Manami's feet started to itch. If she ran, would the clone chase after her? Could Manami even outrun him? She was feeling tired enough that her feet felt extra heavy. Manami blinked and then the clone was standing in front of her before she could decide to make a run for it or not.

With a straight back, the clone breaths in deeply, and with a solemn look in his round eyes, he said, "you are quite energetic and disciplined for one so young".

Manami's line of sight wavered over to the other three to see the middle-aged man smiling in approval while the girl and long-haired boy were both wearing expressions of annoyance. Eyes going back to the clone standing before her, Manami shifted her weight from one foot to another. Was she supposed to say something? She wasn't allowed to talk to strangers. But no one in this strange village seemed to know or understand that. So, after a few awkward seconds, Manami bowed her head slightly, as if to suggest that she heard and accepted the words of the younger spandex-wearing person.

The clone, otherwise known as Rock Lee, beamed as if he had just done the little girl before him a great favor. Who was this guy? Manami asked herself. "Now, I must know your name so when you join Konoha's ranks I will know what to call you". That sure was a formal way of asking someone to introduce themselves.

A long pause engulfed the training field. Lee stood with absolute patience as the little girl scuffed the grass-covered ground with the toe of her sandal. She was refusing to look at him and gave no indication she was going to answer. Though her silence gave enough time for the other three to wander over. They situated themselves on either side of the clone and Manami; creating a circle.

How much longer? Manami asked herself. She couldn't tell if this was a bad situation. She didn't know these people. She wasn't supposed to know these people. Of course, the same could be said for Tsume, Kiba, and Kouta. She wasn't supposed to know them either. You didn't get to meet people when you don't exist. Except she did know them. Or was starting too. And nothing bad had happened. So, was her father wrong? Manami's head started to hurt. She was thinking again and she wanted to stop.

When it became apparent to everyone, except maybe Lee, that the little black-haired girl wasn't going to answer, the eldest, Gai decided to step forward. "I heard that Tsume Inuzuka took in a little girl she found on a mission. Are you her?" Gai phrased it as a question, but he didn't need to. Jonins were the worst gossips and a clan head fostering an orphan was an event that sparked the interest of many. Clans didn't normally involve themselves with children that weren't their own. The state the girl was in didn't go past his notice either. And Gai doubted it escaped his old students' awareness. The red scratch marks on the girl's face were hard to ignore as it was a sharp contrast compared to her complexion. The condition of her bruised and swelling knuckles was even worse. Something had happened.

Having gone on many a mission with members from the Inuzuka clan, Gai knew they were a rough and tumble bunch. He wouldn't be surprised if they were equally as rough with their children. Like most clans, they would see holding back as coddling; causing future generations to grow up weak. But Gai knew them to be fiercely protective. He had seen it on the field amongst teammates and assumed it transferred to children in their care. So why was this girl far from the Inuzukas' land; training by herself when most families would be getting ready for the evening meal?

Still, the girl made no move to answer, and Gai was racking his brains for what he should do. He could feel the eyes of his ex-students on him. No doubt wondering the same thing. As genin, they had completed many babysitting missions and their charges had never been this quiet. Another moment passed and Gai crossed his arms. Gai supposed he could leave his students to train without him while he took the girl back to Tsume.

But the decision was made for Gai when a voice called out from the entrance to the field, "Oi, Manami!" Five heads swiveled in the direction that it came from. Off in the distance, sitting on a giant white dog was Kiba.

An unexpected amount of relief washed over Manami. There was a face she knew. Reacting without thinking, Manami spun on her heels before sprinting over to the older boy. Maybe he didn't know how she had disobeyed his mother. But Manami decided it didn't matter if he did. At this point, she'd rather face an angry Tsume over strangers dressed in spandex that weren't supposed to know that she existed.

"What were you doing, kid?" Kiba asked as the girl skidded to stop next to Akamaru; her fear of dogs seemingly forgotten at that moment. Although, she had been doing better with the canines living in the Inuzuka clan. Mostly because Kouta kept dragging her to the kennels to play with the puppies. "All mom would tell me is that you freaked and I had to go find you". Kiba informed the girl as he dismounted from his ninken partner. He was aware of team Gai approaching and had seen Manami standing with them after Akamaru had followed her scent. So, he figured he had to thank them or something about how they found the runt before he could. What he didn't expect was for Manami to suddenly wiggle herself behind him and grab onto fistfuls of his jacket with both of her hands. Despite living with them for weeks, Manami had never sought him, his mom, or his sister out for any type of comfort. And the only person she really tolerated close contact with was Kouta. So, why the change? "What's wrong, kid?" He asked.

At the same time, team Gai got close enough for its captain to ask, "So, her name's Manami?"

"Umm", Kiba stammered as he tried to piece together what was happening. "Yeah. Mom said she found Manami on her last mission and the Hokage said she could stay with us until she could find Manami somewhere else to live".

That brief history of events, as Kiba told them, had the long-haired boy raising a poised eyebrow. It wasn't every day the Hokage allowed outsiders into the village. Especially those who had some sort of ninja training. Despite being a child or otherwise. Something was going on.

Happy to finally have a name for what Lee thought was simply a shy little girl, he squatted down and tried to make eye contact with Konoha's newest resident. "Hi, Manami-chan. I'm Rock Lee. And this is Neji, Tenten, and the mighty Gai-Sensei!" Lee introduced, pointing to each member of his squad in turn.

But Manami's only response was to grip Kiba's jacket tighter. Causing the Inuzuka to frown and scratch the top of his head in confusion. The pup wasn't a social butterfly by any means. Hell, Kiba had never heard Manami utter a word. But from what he was able to pick up on before his mom had sent him out to find the girl, she was capable of talking. What he couldn't understand was why she was suddenly acting like… she was afraid. Manami hadn't clung to him the time Kiba dropped her off for her first day of school. Kiba sighed as he stopped scratching his head. Maybe he just didn't understand kids. "Don't worry about it, Lee", Kiba said before the green-clad chunin started to feel rejected. "The kid's not a talker".

Smiling gently, Lee nodded in understanding as he rose to his full height. "We were just impressed about the amount of effort Manami-chan was putting into her training", Lee informed Kiba, striking a pose.

"It was a most youth sight!" Gai chimed in one octave too loud. Both he and Lee were unaware of the annoyed expressions Neji and Tenten were still wearing.

"Right", Kiba answered slowly as he started to form a hutch about why the runt was hiding behind him. And now that he had one, he couldn't hold it against her. Gai and Lee were too much for a lot of people. Especially for an academy student. "Thanks for finding her. I'm going to take her back now". Kiba informed the team Gai as he turned around; forcing Manami to release him. Making quick work of it, Kiba picked Manami up by her armpits and swung her onto Akamaru's back. He ignored the uneasy look Manami was shooting in his direction as he did so. If the kid was going to start clinging to him when something scared her, she needed to learn that Akamaru was just as good an option as he was. "Sorry, if she got in the way or anything". Kiba finished before he swung up behind Manami; bracing her sides with both of his arms as held on to Akamaru's fur.

"It was no trouble", Gai assured the young chunin. "The children of our village must be nurtured to reached their full potential whenever there is an opportunity to do so!"

Kiba felt Manami stiffen as she leaned slightly into him. As if his arms were enough to hide her from the spandex-wearing jonin. Kiba nodded in response; happy to leave and end this conversation there. "Let's go, Akamaru". Kiba said. Because while he was riding Akamaru like a horse, his partner was still a ninken, and squeezing his sides to get him to go would just be insulting.

As the giant dog sprung forward and Manami fell backward into Kiba at the sudden motion, Team Gai waved goodbye… or two members were waving goodbye. "Bye Manami-Chan", Lee yelled after them. "Feel free to train here whenever you want!" Not that Manami needed an invitation to train at a public field.