Cure Narrative 31: Flame of Hope

Season: Go! Princess Precure

Character(s): Towa A. Prince Kanata

Summary: He would keep it burning at any cost, it was what kept him going.

Bold: emphasise

"Onii-sama!" Hearing her cry, Kanata immediately leapt out of bed and rushed to her chamber, which was next to his own.

"What's wrong, Towa?" he opened her door gently.

"I'm scared!" the young princess was sitting on her bed, crying, "I'm s-scared, Onii-sama!"

Kanata heaved a little sigh as he walked over to Towa, "What's the matter? A nightmare?"

Towa nodded, "I had a d-dream about father and mother h-having an accident while t-travelling!"

The King and the Queen were off to attend some diplomatic conferences. Usually it would be a two-day trip at most, but it was a four-day trip this time. And Towa was still a five years old who needed her parents.

"Don't worry, it's not real," Kanata patted her head, "Their route is very safe."

"But... but..."

"It's okay. You dream of that because you miss them," he took his little sister into a gentle embrace, "Don't worry, they will come back soon."

Kanata helped her dry her tears and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Now, go back to sleep so that you have enough energy for tomorrow."

"What's special about tomorrow?" Towa rubbed her eyes and asked.

"I was thinking we could have some fun together," Kanata grinned, "We can play some games, pick some flowers for you..."

"And violin practice," Towa laid down.

"And violin practice," Kanata added.

"Onii-sama, can you play a lullaby for me?" Towa asked.

He agreed without a second thought, went back to his room to fetch his violin and music score, came back to Towa's bedside and struck the violinist pose.

The song was soft and tranquil, like the reflection of stars in a silent river. In the embrace of such a gentle melody, Towa drifted off to a peaceful slumber.

Kanata smiled, "Sweet dreams, dear sister."

Gone.

Everything took a turn so abruptly.

She was just gone.

Their flame of hope, his flame of hope, vanished.

Kanata was only nine years old when he lost his sister.

The king had sent out various search parties for the missing princess, but in truth, Kanata thought it was rather pointless after two days.

His mother had it worse than him. The Queen's appetite dropped significantly out of worry and sorrow.

The young prince stayed strong in front of his mother. If he lost hope entirely, his mother would lose another child.

But he, too, wept.

He shut himself in his chamber at night. He took out his violin and started playing the song he and Towa had always practised together.

It was the same song, the same melody, the same notes.

Then why?

Why was it so tainted with sorrow and loneliness now?

Her smiles had always made him smile as well, and her cries would cut deep into his heart. Nonetheless, his beloved sister... his hope...

"Where are you...?"

"Towa!" he would recognise those beautiful features anywhere. Even though she had grown into a young lady, even though her hair was no longer the lovely pink it had been, her voice, her posture, her aura, it was most definitely her.

After eight long years, after he practically lost everything, his initial flame of hope came back to him.

Of course, it hit him hard seeing her as the Black Princess, seeing her burn herself up. He felt almost as miserable knowing that she didn't remember him or their kingdom as when she first went missing.

But with the help of his newfound hope, the Precures, and the bond he shared with his dear little sister through their violins, the melody he played every single day for eight years, he brought her back.

She had returned.

Once again, a delicate child in his arms, beloved and precious.

And he would never forgive the one who took her away, but it wasn't the right time. They all needed to retreat to safety first.

The darkness gave pursuit. The black thorns chased after the five of them.

He made a decision.

He wouldn't let anything happen to her again.

"Onii-sama..." she whispered.

He wouldn't let the darkness take her again.

He knew the chance of winning was slim, practically hopeless. But he wouldn't yield, he would keep standing up, he would keep fighting...

Until they can once again be reunited.

Until his flame of hope burns bright again.

End of Chapter 31