Life Isn't easy.

"Come on! Take it like a man you freak!"

That's what I always thought whenever I got picked on, beaten, or downgraded as a child. Everyone around me seemed to hate me, they made that perfectly clear by literally treating me dirt. I have been walked on, spat on, kicked, stomped, everything you could possiby think of. I eventually didn't care, the beatings were routine for the people in this town. I guess when you no longer have parents they tend to think you have lost all will to live. They're wrong. I had to live. Not just for me but for my sister. I was the one that I had to provide for her since no one else could. I still believe this could have all been avoided if we never left Japan.

My father's job had annonced that they would be moving to a very different place that was nothing like Japan. My father's only option was to go with them since we wouldn't be able to live without his paycheck, my mother doesn't work. I think if my mom would have known that he meant we were moving to Russia, she would have got a job or something and had my father go with his job. But she didn't know, no one did until the week before they were scheduled to leave.

Russia wasn't the kindest place for me, I'm not sure about my sister but that didn't really matter, if anyone messed with her they would be dealing with me, no exceptions. After living in Russia for a month and getting all of the hate and misery thrown at me, I didn't believe that it could get any worse. I did. On December 18 my parents were caught driving in a bad snow storm. Idiots. That's really all I can think whenever I look back on it. They were going to buy christmas presents for Kari and myself, obviously not giving a damn about the weather or the fact that they were in /Russia/ where almost everyone is drunk constantly. Whatever. After their death Kari was destroyed emotionally, but I had to get her out of it so we could move on and try to make a life for ourselves. She's a smart girl, she knew what needed to be done, no ome else was going to do it.

We were forced to live in alleyways and abandon houses. We couldn't go back to our house since the police would most likely take us to children's services, I don't trust them so it's safer if we're on our own so we took what we needed and left.

I took jobs from whoever was offering so I could make money for us, I didn't care what I had to do, as long as I could feed my sister then I would do anything, no matter what it was. I actually wasn't all that surprised from what I was asked to do. I had blood on my hands now. From a hospital fire to torture, I was asked to do anything and I did it. I would do anything for my sister. I was only 11 and I was already a high priced criminal.

I went on with doing illegal jobs for two years until they sent him to kill me. I had got on the radar of a Russian Mob in a bad way, especially after I apparently killed one of their men for one of my jobs. I had been helping Kari get warm in one of the abandon houses we found when he came.

"Taichi Yagami?"

He was as quiet as a winter breeze combing through your hair. His voice was deep and smooth, I can only imagine what it would be like to hear it while you're dying. Maybe I would find out soon. His footsteps were slow and soundlessly calculated as he walked over to us, his long silver hair flowing behind him. This man was powerful, I could tell, but there was no way I was going to let him get to Kari so I hardened my eyes and moved Kari behind me. I couldn't show weakness.

"That's me. May I ask what you want with me?"

"Yes. I am here to kill you."

I couldn't let any emotions show. I had to stay strong. Kari grips my forearm tightly. I know how she must feel, losing her parents and then her big brother? Far to much for a 9 year old to handle. I stood up, holding onto Kari's hand tightly to reassure her that I wasn't going down without a fight. "I see. So my work has finally come back to haunt me then?"

"Yes it has." He bows to Kari as he comes closer to us. "Please forgive me young lady. But my orders must be carried out." He pulls out a long katana that's strapped to his hip, using the tip to press into my neck. I can feel the warmth of my blood sliding down my neck but my expression hasn't changed. Kari is crying on my side but I wont let it get to me. I stare right into his eyes and make it known that I'm not backing down. I wont cower under his gaze or let my confidence waver.

We stare each other down for at least 15 minutes before he smirks, resheaths his sword, and walks over to me. "You're strong and determined to live aren't you." I'm surprised by the statement since I thought this would be over quickly, but I answer anyway. "Yes. I live for my sister. I have to be strong for her." I still wont look away from him, I'm afraid that if I break his gaze he'll think he's won, and that definitely wont happen. Even in death I will not be defeated.

"I see. So you did all of this for her. Not for your own pleasure." I nod at this and answer it. "Yes. I needed the money to feed and clothes my sister. Our parents are dead." If I was going to die then maybe he could find someone to look after Kari. That is the only reason I'm telling him about our parents.

"I wont kill you." Wait...what? My eyes widen a bit at that. "I can't kill you. You were only doing what you needed to do for your sister. You will still have to take responsibility for what you did to my brother though." His brother? Well that explains why he's letting me off the hook, he also has siblings to care for.

"My name is Sephiroth Edenbrook. I am next in line to take my father's place as head of Heartless. Using my position I appoint you as the new member of the Russian Mafia, Heartless." So this was how he expected me to take responsibility for my actions. Very well. As long as Kari is safe then I have no problem with it.

"Taichi..." Kari is holding onto me even tighter now. She must still be scared that I might die in front of her eyes. I put my arms around the shivering girl and nod my head at Sephroth. "I will do it. As long as my sister stays with me and is completely safe at all times."

His smirk widens a bit. "Her safety depends on you for the most part. But I promise you that no harm will come to her by the hands of my men." He turns away, preparing to leave and motioning for us to follow. Once we're outside Sephiroth gives me my first assignment. "You killed my younger brother Loz. For that you will be serving my father. You will do what he tell you to when he tell you to, no exceptions. You will also be his protector at a all times, this includes the rest of my family. You shall also undergo training so that your skills are sharpened." He turns to me, our stare down immediately resumes. "If you even think about pinching one person in my family I can promise you that your life span with be terminated. Are we clear?"

Pinching, huh? I smirk at the thought. Seems like my life is being twisted again. I wonder how much worse it will be this time around. All I can really do now is go with what he says and live for tomorrow. I hold onto Kari's hand tightly, hoping that some of my confidence with flow through her. "Crystal." With that single word I have officially stepped out of my past. There's no going back. If I have to I'll be strong for both of us once again.