The Wolf's Prey (Akatsuki no Yona fic)

Chapter 1: The Winds of Change Begin Blowing

Mei-Lee had just made it to her temporary room, overflowing with firmly contained emotions.  The slam of the door behind her was the final drop that broke the dam.  Her shoulders shook with despair, as the burdens they carried came crashing down once again.  She slowly sunk to the ground, tears of loss flowed freely.

But not a sound did she make.

Her frame trembled with unvoiced cries of anguish, and her silent sobs went unheard.  When she finally pulled herself together, she pulled a piece of cloth from out of her pocket.  Soo-Won's words from earlier in the day still echoed in her heart.

"He was shot down by the traitors.  Every piece of his clothing was stained in blood except for this.  I'm sure he would've wanted you to have it."

It was a single white strip of cloth, her brother's bandanna that he always refused to take off unless he was trying to put it on his little sister.

"I tell you time and time again that you need to put your hair up in something, Mei-Lee!  Here!  Try my lucky bandanna!"

Even though they weren't able to see each other regularly, their bond remained steadfast.  

"I know we don't see each other very often, so I got you this special birthday present!"

Her hand unconsciously strayed to the small bracelet that encircled her wrist.  For a moment, she grasped the poor thing as though her life depended on it, fearing that it would disappear as well.  

Just like her brother.

"Mei-Lee, how many times do I have to tell you that you can't practice your sword training inside!"

"I know I'm not Mom and Dad, but I'm still your older brother, even if only by one year.  I care about you, and I don't want to see you get hurt."

"I'm so proud of you, Mei-Lee.  Have I ever told you that?"

But her brother wasn't going to return anytime soon.

"Knock it off, will you?  I'm trying to prepare Princess Yona's tea!"

He wasn't coming back ever.

"Mei-Lee, don't steal Hak's horse!"

And it was all their fault.

"Mei-Lee..."

"Mei-Lee!-"

"Mei-Lee?..."

"Stop it!" she finally cried.  She couldn't listen to her brother's voice echoing in her ears any longer.  But he continued to call her name.  Mei-Lee pressed her hands firmly against her ears, trying to block out the sound unsuccessfully.  Throwing herself on her bed, she used held her pillow over her head, as if trying to protect herself from the outside world that was bearing down.

At last, the voice began to fade into a dull roar at the back of her head.  She allowed a single sigh to escape her lips before locking her emotions away once more.  But that didn't stop the swirl of questions that assaulted her mind, keeping her from relaxing.

Why her?

Why him?

Why now?

Why, why, why?

As her eyelids began to droop heavily, tired from the day's events, she began to drift off into her own inner thoughts.  She thought back to the time before all of this chaos began.

~*Line Break*~

It was a truly beautiful day. The sun was beaming down rays that lightened the world, brightening the people as they went about their duties. A girl with light, orange-brown hair was lightly humming a tune she had heard as a kid.