A World Without You[Hiroe][Open?]

"That's the thing..."

Hiroe took a moment to cycle through the events as they came back to her. After breaking through the illusion, she unleashed a seemingly devastating attack. Of course, it proved to be ineffective in the end. After all, she was still able to escape with Kaito and drag him to hell with her - "Hell" representing whatever fate he might have been subjected to. Did he die? She was uncertain of his fate. Maybe he was tortured in his final moments, or perhaps he was being tortured now, with her unable to do anything but imagine his cruel fate. The thought was horrifying to consider.

"He was kidnapped by a crimson-haired arrancar. I didn't see him die. But I know how vicious their kind can be... so... I assume he's dead."

"My name is Hiroe."

Did he call every lady "woman?" Even in her darkest hour - now - that continued to grave on her nerves, but that was hardly the focus right now. More importantly, there was truth to his words. He wasn't simply blowing hot air out of his vulgar mouth. On the other hand, she didn't exactly know how to go to the Living Realm. She was an unseated officer and her Captain suffered devastating injuries that currently left him incapacitated.

Positive reinforcement was once a strong suit of hers, but the invasion had somewhat shattered her outlook. After all, War was unrelenting. Merciless. Dreamlike fantasy had no place on the battlefield. Exhaling softly, she rose from the bed as she stretched her body.

"And what if I find him and he's dead, huh? It isn't so cut-and-dry as you make it sound. He could be anywhere on Earth. On top of all that, I'm an unseated officer. Who do you think I can go to and get those sorts of strings pulled right now?"

"Okay! I get it, I get it. I'll do it! Just shut the hell up!"

God, any longer hearing this guy would probably make her head explode. Looking back on it now, maybe there was merit to his words. She had resources. She didn't quite know who to go immediately, but maybe this wasn't the proper way of going about things. If there was even the slightest chance that he was still alive, Hiroe had to seize it and explore her resources.

Devouring the rest of the snacks in frustration, Hiroe attached her blade to her hip, leaping off of the bed in cartoonish fashion as she bolted past him, energy renewed. Did his words earn some measure of purchase? To some degree, they did. But she sure as hell wouldn't give this asshole the pleasure of knowing that. Three flash steps, and she was gone.

"That guy's a real pain in the ass..."