"Aha~! Looks like you're healing up nicely!" Aya's high pitched squeel of delight caught Kiku off guard and the young girl chuckled. She rolled her shirt back down and pat it into place.

It had been almost a month since her initial trip to the hospital and she'd stopped in a few times to check in with Aya. The young medic taken a great interest in Kiku, as a potential medic-nin, and offered to help her out as much as she could...when she wasn't busy with work.

Kiku's wound was healing, though she could tell the medics had been right...the scar would probably never heal completely. It was a little bit sore to the touch as well, but the pain was so miniscule she didn't bother with it. Kiku had shown up at the hospital today to see if she was healed enough to take her test. Aya's extra happy mood led Kiku to believe she was. The blonde medic's words finally confirmed it.

"You could probably walk in and take your test today!" she exclaimed. "No medical reason you can't." She smiled brightly. "I can take you when you go for your test. Show you where to go and stuff...whenever you decide to take it just let me know."

"Could we go tomorrow?" Kiku stood up, getting down from the examination table, and straightened her skirt. The kunoichi hopeful looked at the older girl hopefully. Kiku really wanted to do this as soon as possible.

"Of course! I'm working all day tomorrow though...so I'll take you during my break." Aya nodded happily then stopped for a moment, becoming slightly serious. "I can't stay while you're testing though. It's really long and I'll have to get back to work...ummm...will you be able to make it home alright? You won't get lost?"

Kiku nodded, laughing. "I know my way around the village...lived here my whole life. I'll even stop by here to let you know how it went before going home."

"Awesome! I can't wait then!"

Kiku smiled. Aya was a really cool person...so bubbly and happy with such a passion for being a medic-nin. In a way the older girl made Kiku think of Okarina.

She really missed her cousin. She'd only recieved 2 letters from her since she left. They were rather lengthy...but still, it was less than Kiku had hoped for. She could understand why though and never pushed the subject. Okarina been really busy settling back in...but at least she seemed happy.

Okarina managed to pass her own test to become a genin shortly after her arrival...though she was more a substitute than anything else. Most groups were set already and there was nowhere to put her. She only got her genin status after 'pleading her case' to the hokage...but was currently restricted to the most mundane missions available.

The young girl was happy with it though if her letters were any indication. Her second and final letter was full of excitement over the chunin exams. They were going to be held in Konoha in the next 2 months, and though Okarina wasn't permitted to participate, she was excited to see her friends take part in it. She wanted to be able to cheer them on.

Kiku couldn't wait to send her own letter full of exciting news. Kiku was sure Okarina would be proud of her if she became a medic-nin.

'Aya-san would be proud too.' she thought happily, watching the blonde.

Kiku was glad she'd taken her cousins advice and done what she really wanted instead of what her mother expected.

If this new friendship she was forming was any indication at the life she'd lead as a medic-nin...as a kunoichi of Suna...Kiku was sure everything would turn out fine in the end.