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Ming Yue grew up alone. He never remembered the touch of his mother's breath on his fur, or being taught to hunt. His first memory was pouncing on a rabbit, and the wet crunch of its body breaking in his teeth. His next memory was being attacked by a starving lone wolf, and taking refuge under a tree, avoiding the foaming, dripping fangs. When the crazed creature finally fed and left, he stayed under the tree, shivering.

But that memory stuck with him. Why should he have to hide under a tree? Sure, he was a pup, but he wouldn't be forever! When he got older, with pups of his own, he would never let them be put in a situation like his. Hunting constantly, feeding on the weak and lame, and leftovers that the vultures happened to leave.

Disgusting.

And as Ming Yue grew older, and stronger, he became fiercer. His body size, while not unusual, was above average, and when he finally joined his first pack, his rank grew. one by one he put the other wolves below him, until he was a beta. And he was happy to remain there too. He had no interest in the day to day running of the pack. Only in fighting, and proving his stregnth.

Then one day, something happened. He wasn't really sure exactly what, the memory was a blur. There was... a wolf. He came, and swept through his pack, killing the males who challenged him, killing the females. He fought the alpha, and took his place. Ming Yue wasn't going to challenge him, he didn't care, but the wolf... attacked. Vicious, uncaring. Ming's head hit a rock, and he lost consciousness.

He awoke to the remnants (literally) of his pack around him, and alone again. No home, no family. Only rage.

And so he lifted his body up off the rock, already planning his revenge.

He took her, and raised her, and Kamaria grew from a clumsy, ill-fed pup into a beauty. Her trials as a pup led to her being a fierce protector of children, and her love for Ming Yue gave her a great respect for her elders. Especially the one who had saved her. However, her love for him was that of a child for her father, or her brother... while Ming Yue's had grown into an affection unlike her own. But he knew how she regarded him and so did not speak to the young adult of his love for her. It would fade, he was sure, and he would find another, and they would mate, and his love for Kamaria would vanish into gentle memory.

She knew of his love of course, but played ignorant, since it pleased him to think he sheltered her from his adoration. Besides, today she had something more important to do. She knew it, could scent it on the winds. Something.... And she knew it was coming, but she couldn't tell what it was. So she followed the feeling, far from her guardian, far from her home, outside of familiar lands. The faces haunted her, and she knew where she was going. Home. That's where they needed her. Her brothers and sisters had come back, and they wanted her to come hunt with them.

Wanted her to come feed them.

They needed her. And she hadn't seen them in so long, why should she deny them now? The female loped along, paying little attention to the creatures warning her- don't go! don't go! But closer and closer she went, towards the cave she'd known as a child, where her family had left their bodies, and left her behind, alone. As she went, she could hear her mother whispering in her ears how much she had been missed, and how much she had loved her. Hear her brothers promising that they could play together again, and this time they wouldn't pretend not to see her, and her sisters admiring her fur, and how big she had grown. She could see them in the water she would stop to drink, but no food. No, her parents said hunting would take too long, and defeat the purpose of her journey. She needed to leave her body too, to be with them.

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Ming Yue was disturbed. All day Kamaria had been gone, since even before he woke. She never left without telling him, especially not for long trips like this. But nowhere could he find her! No one could tell her where she had gone. Her scent was cold, and he followed it desperately, until it faded into the river.

Icy blue eyes were anguished, and he lifted his nose into the air, howling his worry into the chill morning winds.

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Kamaria's head jerked. She could sense Ming Yue nearby her. His worry. His frustration. Gently she called out to him, but there was nothing. Only a haunting. Her father and brothers urged her on, faster, but her mother was quiet. Would you lose the living, to please the dead? she questioned silently, looking saddened herself. Kamaria, we are beyond your reach without you losing everything you are now.... Her father and her siblings protested, loud nips and growls filling her mind, and it was then Kamaria realized she couldn't truly hear their voices. She looked around as her mother begged her not to go any further. Eyes unclouded saw the edge of the jagged rocks in front of her. She was in the mountains? But...

And then she truly knew. They had been leading her to join them... but in doing so she was losing her life. She would lose the scent of the trees, the warmth of the sun, the sweet touch of a friend. She would lose Ming Yue, and everyone else she might have known.

She backed up, slowly, carefully, fighting to shield her mind from her ghosts. No, this was not a choice she could make. This was not a choice she was allowed to make. Her mother was pleased, she could feel the gentle warmth of the she-wolf around her, feel her breathing.

Like the night she had died, her mother would protect her. Even though it was not against malice, or cruelty, her mother would guard her youngest child. It wil be okay, mother. I have made my choice. Father, brothers, sisters... I will see you some day. I will be different, grown old and grey, but I will find you, when I pass into the night. There was silence after her words, and a pressure she had not felt lifted from her, and she saw clearly. Her siblings were gone, and her father faded then, watching her with such sorrow in his eyes she wanted to wail. Her mother was proud. Pleased that her youngest, most precious child had not given in, and given up. Sorrowed her youngest had grown to be the oldest. I love you, my Kamaria. Live well.

Kamaria wept after they were gone, her weakened body huddled on the hard rock, in the harsh cold of her former home. And she wept a true goodbye that she would not have been able to give as a child, for she hadn't understood. Now she did. Then she stood. I'm coming home, Ming Yue.

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Ming Yue never knew what he felt. A release, a dam breaing as his nose fell, his throat dry. But he heard, a whisper in his mind, in the very air her words... I'm coming home... Brother. And he froze, in such relief, then turned, throwing himself into a hunt. After all, his little sister had come far today, and she would be hungry.