1 Chapter 1

"Chaos and Order go hand in hand. They balance each other out on the grand scale. If either triumphs without the other the world ends."

A line from a book Kurobe Toru's father once read to him. These lines would come running back to his mind, the day he returned to his village. Only to find out there was no more village. All that remained were burning houses, wails of the wounded and the cries of people who lost their loved ones.

A few hours earlier:

Seishirou: Oi! Toruuuuu! I'm hungry! we've been walking all day without rest. Let's take a break, come on come on.

Toru: Just a little farther, a little bit and we will reach the next town. Dont you wanna drink cold beer poured by beautiful women and sleep on soft beds? Think Shiro Think!

Seishirou: WE CANT DRINK BEER YET! WE'RE UNDERAGE! Although the beautiful women part doesn't sound half bad.

Toru: Right? This trading trip to the capital has been very profitable. We earned enough to feed the village for a week. And maybe, with my bonus I can buy a ring for Chise....

Seishirou: YES YES YOU HAVE A GIRLFRIEND I GET IT I GET IT! Jeez don't rub it in the face of a virgin like me. It hurts my feelings.

[Toru laughs].

Seishirou: Ah there! I see the garrison, the town should be just ahead.

Toru: Finally some rest and a good night's sleep. Man I'm beat

[The two enter the town and make their way into the local inn.]

[However on the way]

...they might have crossed the line here this time. An entire village? It used to be our savings and then our cattle. Now they're taking our home?...

...those poor people, we could be ne-...

Seishirou: Oi Toru what do you think these people are talking about?

Toru: Don't bother about it, it's probably another rise in taxes and someone lost their house.

Seishirou: I have a bad feeling about this...

[That night at the pub]

Toru: ...that will be all please. And another filling of apple juice for two.

Man behind them: The Awlert Village? I thought they were under the protection of the king.

Another man: The King is merely a tool. The real ruler of this kingdom is that man. They call him the Karasu. And rumor has it he does whatever he wants with the kingdom. It was Awlert this time. Next may be us.

Seishirou: Uh excuse me sir but did you mention the Awlert Village? I'm from there so I am intrigued.

[Both men look at each other]

Seishirou: uh is it something bad {a chill runs down his spine}

Man A: The thing is young man your village was...

Man B: Burned down by the royal guards this morning

[A sharp sound of glass shattering]

[Toru gets up. His eyes are filled with terror. He runs outside]

Seishirou: TORU!

[Shirou runs after Toru.]

Seishirou: TORU! OI TORU! wait for me.

Toru: Chise! Chise!

Seishirou: I'll get us a horse.

[The two leave for their village on a horse cart]

Thick smoke covers the air. The smell of smoke and blood hang in the air. Toru walks, trembling, tripping over the bodies of the dead. He reaches the street near his house. In a corner, huddled together are the bodies of Toru's Father, Mother and Chise. The sweet Chise whose smile gave Toru happiness beyond measure. The wise words and life advice of his Father. The gentle hand that ruffled his hair. the hand of his mother. Charred, Still, forevermore. A sharp wail breaks the silence. Seishirou lies crying and hugging the body of a young girl, no older than 12. His little sister Shiho. Toru knew, somewhere in one of Shirou's coat pocket is a doll. A doll of clay and cloth. The final piece to complete Shiho's doll set. The "bride". Toru laid a hand on Shirou's shoulder. And a tear tricked down on his hand. One drop. Two drop. And soon the drops turned into a stream and then the stream dried up. Sadness melted into pain. And the pain hardened into hate. Hate and a strong thirst for revenge.

He knew who was responsible. The Crow: Kurasu