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Rukia takes three extra doses of the medication that the Fourth Division supplies her with weekly. It's meant to stave off the infection that threatens to kill her any moment, and for the most part, the vile bitterness of the herbs is effective in keeping her on her feet.
This trip to Karakura is the one thing that she's been looking forward to and she won't risk spoiling it with something as trivial as her impending death.
Before, she routinely traveled to the human world once or twice a month on a professional level, relaying communications between Soul Society and the spiritually powered residents living in the small town. It was a decision that surprised her, but as the Commander had mentioned, she is the best Shinigami for the job due to her extensive experience living there and her valuable connections to significant figures there. Proud of her appointed status as a liaison representing the Kurosaki family (and their spiritually awakened friends), Rukia relishes each visit and often journeys there even on her own personal time.
However, Rukia's last official visit took place the early in the previous month and she hasn't spoken with Ichigo for just as long. It's strange, she thinks, that she could miss someone so much simply because she hasn't walked by his side in weeks. Their whole relationship is built on just a few weeks, ironically when she was at her absolute weakest, but it feels like she's known him for her entire life.
She just wants to feel strong again, that warm invincibility she feels whenever she's with him.
(265)
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