[Canon]

It was a silly desire, looking back. Declaring a promise to myself to protect her and make her smile. But I saw what had happened to her and what was in store for her, and no matter what I did I couldn't change the future so I tried to make the past as best as I could. After nearly getting my tail handed to me, I was finally able to talk to her instead of watch from afar. She was a cautious thing, and questioned my motives for a long time. I wasn't offended though, I understood her feelings. I never was able to tell her that she and I are one and the same, and it was probably for the best now that I think about it. At first I only spent a few minutes around her, and as time went on I increased the time we spent together. She grew to look forward to my visits, though it was clear she still loved her little brother the most. She never brought him to meet me, and I think it was because deep down, she never completely trusted me. I also couldn't blame her for that. She would ask about the eye I always kept closed or why I always seemed to have mud on one particular spot on my face, but I would never tell her. Nonetheless, she began to smile more often. One day she practically threw herself at me in greeting. It was the happiest moment of my life. Her smile brought me such a simple joy that even now, lifts me to the highest of spirits. No matter how cheesy it sounds, even now I still want to protect her smile.