Prologue
Kogan sat in the corner, her white hair streaked red with her own blood. Her father grabs her by the neck, and she remains silenced. His eyes narrow, the blackness of them seeming to burn even more than being branded. Her green eyes shine in fear, and she shrinks away as he roughly caresses her. The man, malice in his eyes, lifts her off her feet.
"You," He hissed in his low, rough voice, "Are a mistake. A failure and a fraud."
Kogan whispers, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."
"DID I SAY YOU COULD SPEAK?!" He yells into her face, spit coating her nose and eyes. He raised a fist...
...And gripped a large metal branding iron. It had been sitting on the fire for a few hours. He brings in upon her left shoulder, and she screams out in pain and fear. Now there was a large burn mark upon her in the shape of phoenix as she slithered away, her sire dropping her upon the ground.
The father cruelly laughs, "Did that hurt, lil' K? Where's your mommy at?"
Kogan stares at him, her lips moving to hiss, "Why did you do that to me?"
"Because. I. Can."
The girl slips back, still facing the abuser. Kogan felt a sharp, but gentle pain in her chest, and glanced to see a large sword fall. She watches her father snatch it, and drive it into her chest, thinking he had hit her heart. He thought Kogan was dead, and threw her into the nearest alley.
He had left her alive, but dying.
Kogan's POV
It was cold that day. I couldn't tell how cold, because the blood was so warm. I began to whisper a poem in my head, and hold out the pain that was slowly numbing. Why not make one up?
I wanted to be a singer,
I wanted to have a kid,
I wanted to carry on with faith,
But instead, from you, I hid.
I hid from your hurt,
I hid from the pain,
I fell to my knees,
To try not to be slain.
I failed myself and all who loved me,
Which will cry tears of blood and hate,
I wanted to grow older and one day be happy,
But for my true love, my prince, it's too late.
I was named Kogan. I had pure white winter hair, and the eyes of summer green. My lips were cherry blossom pink, and skin like a peach. I was scared of my father. Thanks to my old father, only the ninja could save me...
... And the white one did.