I raced through the silent hallways of the Tochô, an unusual fear pumping through my blood. Sakura's body was cold in my arms, and growing colder by the minute.

"The ward protecting the Tochô has vanished!" I heard Kakyô shout from behind me. "Something's happening in the underground reservoir!"

"What do you mean, 'something'?" I growled, lengthening my stride.

"I don't know!" he panted, struggling to keep pace with me. "It isn't like I see everything in my dreams! But..." Kakyô paused, gasping for breath as we raced ever faster to the basement. "...Everyone is down there. Everyone that you came with."

~*~

"This is it, huh?" I asked, pushing open the heavy stone door.

"You mustn't enter there carrying a weapon without permission," Kakyô insisted as he caught up.

I glared angrily at him, but there was no time to argue. Casting Sôhi aside, I left it leaning against the doorframe as I sprinted down the steps, Kakyô on my heels.

I could see the rest of the Tochô group at the bottom of the stairwell, standing on a rock platform that jutted out into the reservoir. I raced toward them, wondering where the rest of my group had gotten to.

Suddenly I noticed that Sakura's body was glowing. I paused halfway down the steps as bright ribbons of magic flowed from her. The glow grew brighter, then she vanished in a flash of light.

"She disappeared!" I exclaimed.

"It's possible her body was transported to her soul within the water," Kakyô said, pausing next to me.

There wasn't time to ask for a better explanation or worry about it now. I raced down the rest of the steps to join the group.

"Kurogane!" a voice called, and I caught sight of Mokona in Kazuki's arms. "Syaoran and Fai aren't coming out of the water!"

I gazed up at the towering whirlpool, trying to calculate its speed. No one could survive in those waters for long.

"Get out of my way!" I shouted, shoving Yûto aside. I ran to the edge of the platform, ready to throw myself into the swirling waters. Without warning the whirlpool exploded, sending water cascading around the entire reservoir. I threw my hands up in front of my face, trying to stand steady against the torrent.

Suddenly the roar of water stopped, and I lowered my arms. "What the..."

Thousands of water droplets hung stationary in the air, each nearly double the size of one's fist. I looked past and through the water, where a strange sight met my eyes.