Prologue.
Hak doesn't remember his parents at all – or so he says. But even if he does, he has said nothing about them, so no one bothers to pry. Tae-yeon is too young, a mere child, and while he may remember his parents right now, it is a given that as he grows, he too will forget them, memories replaced by new ones he's creating with his new family.
Jin-ah remembers the cold, the ache in her bones, the blood on her feet, and she remembers the sobs of a woman who most likely was her mother, pleading over and over again for her life.
That is her earliest memory. The next time she opens her eyes, it is to a fierce, grizzled old man like a bear silvered with age peering down at her. She remembers staring back and thinking that his arms are very gentle.
Jin-ah doesn't know her real name. As with Hak, Mundok was the one who gave her this name that she now calls her own. Sometimes when she passes by a reflective surface, she will pause and stare at herself–somber gray eyes, thin mouth with its mournful tilt, pale skin like rice paper–and rack her mind for any hint of her original name. But there is nothing but a gaping, empty space where her memories should be, and without fail she shakes away the lingering grips of her lost past so she can attend to her duties.
She has little time for idleness. She is Son Jin-ah, granddaughter of the Wind Tribe General, and there is much to be done around the mansion.
Jin-ah is with a few other girls, mending their clansmen's torn clothes (really, there's a limit to how careless they can be), when they hear the commotion.
Han-dae bursts in, cheeks flushed and eyes bright, and practically teleports to her side. Bewildered, she allows herself to be tugged to her feet and out of the room with one last glance back at the other girls, who trail behind them in blatant curiosity. Jin-ah turns back to the golden-haired boy before her and tugs experimentally at her wrist. Han-dae winks, but doesn't let go.
She sighs, exasperated. "Han-dae, what are you doing?"
"It's a surprise," he says cheekily, except it's not anymore, because there are people running around shouting about the return of Lord Hak, he's back, oh he's gotten so handsome, and he's brought a girl with him–
Jin-ah fixes her companion with a flat look.
"… Hak is back?"
"I gathered," she says wryly. She jerks out of his loose hold and picks up her skirts, running towards the main house. Her heart feels like it's going to beat out of her chest in excitement, and with every step she feels lighter, like the wind is lifting her up and pushing her forward.
Jin-ah leaps over the stairs and hurtles up to the house, hair streaming behind her like a pale golden banner. She doesn't stop running, dodging startled servants and sharply rounding corners, until she spots Tae-woo lounging against the wall and their eyes meet.
"Jin-ah–!" Tae-woo calls, but she knows this is the right place and sure enough, just as she reaches forward for the doors, they slide open and a tall, broad-shouldered figure emerges.
She barrels into him, laughing with abandon. Strong arms circle her, lift her up into a tight embrace, and she closes her eyes. Breathes.
Her brother is home.
a/n: Long time no see! I'm currently obsessed with Akatsuki no Yona, which is an incredible manga that everyone should read (seriously, the character development and plot points are all fucking amazing). I hope everyone enjoys this story, because I have no idea where this is headed lol. Do tell me what you thought of Jin-ah in the comments!