"As do I," Rukia inclined her head. "I'm sure there must be something in the woods ahead. It bears the name it does for a reason, after all." She folded her hands on her knee, studying Cloud's worried young face. It was entirely possible that Zack could pass on. Nothing in this world could truly live forever, after all, and as a soul reaper she'd seen many beings die in a way that seemed 'unfair.' But that was hardly the comfort he was seeking right now.

"Perhaps if we are unable to find anything here, you could take him to the laboratory and ask them to run some tests," she suggested. "This sort of ailment could affect several chocobos, I'm sure they'd want to research a cure sooner rather than later."