Orihime felt herself blush, partially because of the touch but mostly because she felt like she'd just said something stupid and selfish without thinking about it at all. Of course she didn't want him to be here, right? She couldn't help but remember her conversation with Shana, about staying here if their friends were alive and well, if they didn't have to go through the nightly tortures of Landel's and..

It was so strange to be called precious. Her heart did that weird little skip-beat when he smiled and when he cried. She shifted a little so she could wrap her arms around his neck and stroke his hair like she had done for Renamon. She would fight tooth and nail to stay with them, but she knew there was always the chance she would be killed or disappeared like the others. In that case...her heart had a place here. It would stay with her friends, something no force in any world could take away. Not this place or its lies. Not death. They were stronger than all of that.

"You'll never be alone. My heart - and Shana's heart - they're always with you."