About mid-afternoon Aya took Kiku to see the Kazekage and the council. She gave a written request from herself and her superior at the hospital and then left soand she could get back to work. She flashed Kiku a quick thumbs up before leaving the girl to speak with the council.
Kiku had been so nervous when they asked her if she'd recieved her mother's consent. Kiku personally knew most of these people...and they all knew her mother's view on the subject.
"I'm 12 now!" she told them, looking each person in the eye. "Many people younger than me put their lives on the line for this village...and...and I want to be able to contribute to this village as well, in any way that I can. I'm old enough to make this decision on my own. My mother's consent on the situation means nothing." She hoped they'd find her response acceptable and wouldn't force her to ask her mother's permission.
Her response caused one council member to chuckle.
"You're a lot like you're father, you know." he said, looking down at her. "You talk big for a child...but you're right. You're old enough to make this decision on your own. I'm sure your father would have approved."
Kiku smiled. Her father had died so many years before, but the council still remembered him. She was happy someone saw even a little of him in her.
"I'm sure he would have approved, but that's not the only matter in this situation. That woman never sent her children for training. We can't make someone a medic-nin without any experience. It takes a lot of practice...which she obviously never had...this isn't worth our time."
Another council member spoke up and Kiku's hands balled into fists at her side. She had to force herself not to interrupt the woman...she didn't want to make enemies within the council.
Eventually the Kazekage himself spoke.
"I can at least say one thing for this girl...according to the head medic, Emiko Kururugi's letter...this child has survived a second attack from my son, Gaara. That's twice more than most people can say."
A small murmer fell across the room.
"...if she possesses any of the talent her father did then she may be worth testing."
He turned his attention directly at Kiku. She tried not to look intimidated, and was glad that she succeeded. She didn't want to look weak no matter how nervous she was.
"Do you think you can handle the tests?" he asked.
Kiku nodded. "I've been practicing."
The kazekage stood up and walked towards her.
"In that case, I'm willing to give you a chance." He looked back at his council. "Does anyone have any objections?"
When nobody answered, he led her away towards the testing area.
~~~~~
It was dark by the time Kiku made it to the hospital to see Aya.
"How'd it go?" The young blonde ran towards her upon spotting the child at the door.
Kiku frowned, hands in her pockets, and shrugged.
"You didn't pass?" Aya ran forward, her brown eyes tearing up. Dissapointment shown across her face.
"Just kidding."
Kiku suddenly flashed a smile and pulled her Suna headband from her pocket.
She really couldn't help but tease the older girl. Kiku knew Aya wouldn't hold it against her. She was far too happy a person for that and never took these things seriously.
"Congrats Kiku-chan!" Aya threw her arms up in the air. "We need to celebrate!"
"Aya-San! We need your help with a new patient...he got some needles stuck in his hand...we can't get him to stop moving around enough to get them out..."
Another medic ran towards the girls, interupting the happy moment. Aya turned to Kiku quickly.
"We'll celebrate tomorrow and you can tell me everything! I gotta go...sorry!"
With that the two medics ran off towards the patient's room. Kiku sat in a nearby chair in the hallway for a moment and stared at her headband. She traced Suna's symbol with her finger and smiled brightly.
She was a Kunoichi for Suna...she'd be able to work hard and help the citizens of her village. This was one of the few moments that Kiku truly felt happiness.
Chapter End Notes:
Kiku's a medic now ^.^ More details on that next chapter...and Gaara's gonna show up again pretty soon too. O.O