[When she had seen the image, she had thought it wasn't real. Why would she believe it? The very nature of this event was to see people die -- it was just a hallucination. A horrific, horrid, terrible hallucination, but a hallucination all the same. Still, Rei had a feeling in the very bottom of her heart that something was not right -- so she set out to find Hitsugaya. Just to make sure he was okay.

He hadn't picked up his PCD and he obviously wasn't at Juubantai house, otherwise he would have told Hinamori that it wasn't real. So Rei set out to the wall surrounding the city, to his favorite spot to sit whenever he felt upset. No Hitsugaya. She then hopped the wall and went to the Wastelands, to his favorite sparring location -- and then to the second favorite sparring location -- and then the third, the one they frequent whenever they both needed to let off some steam. Still no Hitsugaya. She checked the clinic, the dojo, the fountain in the center of town, the surrounding tall trees, and finally, she had dropped back down on the steps of the Temple of Heaven, with her PCD in her hands, to stare blankly at the ground. It's at this moment that the feed has actually started -- just Rei, on the steps, staring at nothing.

When she speaks, it isn't clear whether or not she knows it's recording -- but her voice is so quiet, and faint, and heartbroken. There are no tears or choked sobs or any of that dramatic nonsense -- but it's obvious, in the way that Rei carries herself -- the way her shoulders slump and her cheeks pale -- that she is positively devastated.]

He's actually dead, isn't he.

[Her fingers curl around the PCD and the feed shakes, ever so slightly, with the change. Her hands are shaking. And if you look carefully, it's obvious that Rei herself is trembling. Almost every single person who has been with her for as long as Hitsugaya Toushirou has been has eventually left for some period of time, but not him. He's practically indestructible. Always the one to drag her away from doing something stupid -- and sometimes the other way around -- but Rei has never had a day pass in Adstringendum where he has not been there to tell her what to do whenever it got to be too much. And now, when it's too much -- way too much -- he isn't here. Temporary or not (oh, if it isn't temporary -- no, Rei can't even consider that as a possibility, because she may very well crack), she can't quite grasp the idea that she can't pick up her PCD and call him to tell him to come over and sit with her. Even if it's silent contemplation of how badly their lives suck. Or for him to tell her to snap out of it and stop being so depressing, because not only did this happen, but Minako -- vanished. Again. And on top of that, Hitsugaya --

She closes her eyes and -- finally, tears roll down her cheeks at the motion, but she doesn't actually cry or sob. Not quite yet. That is going to be reserved for when she's alone. No, instead, she keeps speaking, and while her voice is still quiet, and still positively heartbroken and crushed, there is a fine edge of anger to it now, and it is obvious that Hino Rei knows this is broadcasting to the entire network.]

When he comes back, he's going to tell me what happened to him, and not even God can hide you from what I'll do to you. You'll be punished, and when I find out what he lost because of you, you'll be punished again. Come forward now or hide in your hole like a coward, it doesn't matter to me, but I'll find you.

[He'd do the same for her, after all.]

[Rei is sitting on the floor, her knees to her chest. Her back is pressed against an invisible wall -- a chamber, of sorts, made out of energy. She is perfectly still, breathing slow and even, her eyes fixated on whatever is in front of her.

The feed continues this way for five minutes, then ten -- and still, Rei does not move, save for her fingers moving in tiny intricate designs upon her legs. She doesn't even blink. Her expression is completely blank and neutral, devoid of emotion.

Finally, the priestess speaks, and her tone is perfectly even. She does not look at the camera.]

I know what you did. I saw it. You can hide as long as you want, but I'll find out. I'm not going to stop looking until I know the truth. He deserves more dignity than what you gave him.

[She is silent for a moment or two more before she inhales deeply.]

I need to speak to Sam and Dean Winchester. And Raven. In person.

[Another pause.]

...I'm fine now.

[Four hours of solid meditation works wonder for the anger of hellfire.]

[There's a series of slammed doors, when the PCD turns on -- anyone who has been inside of it will recognize the Temple of Heaven -- and anyone who pays attention will see that the reason for the slammed doors is quickly approaching the device.

Rei is opening doors, looking inside rooms, and slamming them shut.

Over. And over. And over. And over. And over.

It's a large temple, after all. There are a lot of rooms to look through.

But once Rei has reached the final door, the one closest to the PCD, she is breathless, her fingers are trembling, and she yanks it open with much more force than absolutely necessary. The door slams into the adjacent wall and the PCD manages to look inside it, quickly -- an empty, unused room -- before Rei slams the door shut so hard that the wall shakes.]

Damn it --

[It's choked through a sob as she turns away from the PCD, her shoulders trembling, as she struggles to get ahold of herself. The trembling soon turns into full out shaking and Rei turns, her back hitting the wall, so she can sink to the floor, her hands burying themselves in her hair as she cries.

Sometimes, it's just one last straw to finally break the camel's back.]

Hotaru is gone.

[Her voice is monotone.

Two senshi in as many weeks. Plus a slew of other absences. On top of everything else that has happened. Rei is dangerously close to snapping, but she manages it well.

It's really just the icing on the cake.]

( [Filtered to the senshi // Private // Unhackable] )