Orihime shook her head, once again helpless to answer the girl's questions. No one she'd talked to could really explain why they would want to do any of it, and she had yet to come up with a real theory.

Tear's words stung a little. They reminded her of Urahara, and what he'd said about her part in the battle. She didn't have what it took; she just wasn't a fighter. She knew that it was true. She couldn't make herself fight unless there was absolutely no choice. She hated violence, but she couldn't watch the people around her act like shields, taking all the pain and in the end..leaving her behind. It was selfish, really. She wanted them to be happy and safe and, most of all, with her.

She had a part in that war now, even if she knew she couldn't fight. She was going to destroy the Hougyoku for them. She didn't want to be told again that she had no place.

"I can't." She shook her head stubbornly. Even if Tear wasn't going to argue, she was. "I know you're probably a much better fighter than me, and you don't want me to slow you down or get in the way, but you don't have to worry about that. Please, if you don't go with me, at least let me stay until you find someone to help you tonight."

She was well aware of the fact that she was likely crossing some boundaries, but this was important:

"Right now, it's not about strength."