"Thank you." She bent deeper into the bow in order to set the basket down underneath the bench, then straightened and heaved herself up. Her legs dangled; between her height and the girlish frills and large bow, it was always easy to mistake Ami for a child much younger than thirteen. But the forehead protecter tied around her waist like a belt and the deceptively durable fabric of her dress—bow and frills included—painted a very different picture to those perceptive enough to pick up on it.

Still, the title of 'Rookie of the Year' felt flat and meaningless, seated next to an Uchiha—he looked stern, and imposing, and important. Sure, she saw Shisui everyday, but he wasn't as cool as the Military Police she had idolized since childhood. This man was more like Itachi, she privately rated.

As the calico kitten clambered out of her clothes to curl in her damp lamp, Ami idly began to pet him. Boys were extremely rare for that breed, so maybe her aunt would let her keep this one as her own, rather than just giving it away and returning to feeding strays. Their home was a textiles shop, which had blocked her earlier hopes of having a pet, but maybe, just maybe she could keep this one. For luck.

Perhaps that luck bolstered her flagging courage, because something pushed her to step out of her normal, taciturn little box. "...I hope the rain helps your garden, sir." Immediately, she wanted to kick herself. She should have at least looked at him, rather than the rain outside. That might have made it sound a little less meek.