"OW." Rukia hopped up and down in place, clutching her foot in pain.

"Rukia? Is that you?" Kiyone stuck her head out of a nearby door, looking at her subordinate in concern.

Rukia froze, balanced on one foot comically.

"Maybe."

"What are you doing?" Kiyone looked at the gigantic pot lying on the ground nearby.

Its contents had spilled all over the floor, and it was a reasonable assumption that Rukia had dropped it on her toe just seconds ago.

"Um…" Rukia answered evasively, putting her foot down slowly and preparing to run.

"What's in the pot?" Normally, Kiyone wouldn't have cared, but it was a slow day today and she was bored. Boredom usually translated into nosy questions for her coworkers.

"It's, um, chicken soup."

There was no 'ah!' of comprehension.

"It's a remedy from the living world. It's good for sick people."

"Ah!" Kiyone said, finally understanding. Rukia hurried on.
"And, um, I know it's not actually part of my duties and I've caused enough trouble here recently, but please don't report me, I just feel so bad for them because—"

Kiyone grinned and clapped a hand over Rukia's mouth. "Let me help."

"What? But, Kiyone, surely you have work to do for the captain."

"Meh, Booger-brain can earn his keep, lazy bum." She leaned back into the doorway, shouting. "Sentaro, I'm going out for a walk, try not to get too much snot on the official reports, ok?" Kiyone ducked as a pen went flying over her head and stuck in the wall behind her.
"Let's go!" she said cheerfully, picking up one side of the half-filled pot. Rukia shrugged and took the other side.

………………..

"Oi! ISANE!" Kiyone hammered at the door to the relief station.

"I'm… not sure any of them can stand…." Rukia started, balancing the edge of the pot against her hip and steadying it with her left arm. With her right she reached over and turned the doorknob. The two girls stepped into the relief station.

Each of the wards was filled with sick shinagami. Hacking coughs and a stench filled the air.

Kiyone wrinkled her nose.

It must have been days since some of the ill fourth squad members could stand, let alone take a shower.

Rukia gulped, but gamely lifted the ladle she had stuck through the white cloth tied around her waist. "Come one, Kiyone, they have to have cups somewhere!"

……………..

Rukia helped Captain Unohana to sit up, and handed her a cup of chicken soup.

"I'm sorry… this is my fault…" she told the older woman. "It's my fault they all got sick…"

Unohana shook her head. "Nonsense, Kuchiki-san. How could this be your fault? All of my squad members are already immune, so the flu must have mutated since last season."

Rukia smiled sheepishly. "Um. Actually, I think they got it from me or one of my friends—it must be the human version of the Flu. Ichigo had me get vaccinated, but…"

"Still, the Ryoka were all over Soul Society, and only fourth squad got sick."

Rukia nodded. "Of course." There was an obvious reason that only fourth squad would get it, but she didn't want to get Hanatarou in trouble if she didn't have to.

A/N Grar. I rather hate this entire fanfiction. I just feel it's written badly—especially this most recent chapter. However, some of my friends said it's not fair if I don't continue it, since I've gotten so many reviews. Sigh. Well, Happy Birthday, Yuzu and Karin. Sorry you're not in this fic.

This is probably done. Chances are I will never write more. And, um, just because I really don't like Ganju or Kuukaku at all—Imagine them horribly sick too. Ichigo is practically bio warfare.

This is a really short chapter. Ah well. Please, if anyone likes this fic, try to read my other ones—I honestly consider this the worst one I've ever written.