Shirasaki Castle, Japan: A black-caped ninja runs through the night as he manslaughters a group of men. His Princess summons him because he disobeyed her order to stop needless killing. Princess Tomoyo, alongside one of her ninjas, Souma, tells Kurogane that he's the strongest warrior in all of Japan. And since Kurogane wants to become the best, Tomoyo's decided to send him off to find the true meaning of strength. She also bestows a curse upon him -- that his strength would lessen for every person he needlessly kills. With that, Kurogane vowed to return and was exiled. Tomoyo sent him to "that person" so that his future would be arranged for the best.

In the country of Celes, a man emerges from a sealed pool of water. His companion greets him and asks him about his next move. Fay looks up and tells her, Chi, that he needs to escape to a far-away place with no King Ashura. He asks Chi to tell him when the King awakens, then changes her into a shield. After wishing sweet dreams to the King, he opens dimensions to go see the Witch.

Back in Japan, Yuuko says that Sakura will die if nothing is done about her feathers. She motions for her assistant, Watanuki, to get something, then turns to Syaoran, telling him that there will be a price to pay to save her. Syaoran replies that he will pay anything he can, while the "others" come -- Fay and Kurogane -- each by Syaoran's side. After introducing themselves, Fay and Kurogane present their wishes: that they don't and do want to return to their home worlds, respectively. Yuuko mentions that all their wishes are grave, but use the same method -- travelling through dimensions, to different worlds. However, they must pay together their precious belongings in order for the wish to be granted. Kurogane has to give up his sword, the Ginryu (Silver Dragon) and Fay must give up his magical markings on his back. Watanuki comes out with the two creatures, Mokona Modoki -- the white one is to accompany Syaoran and the others in their journey, while the black one serves for communication purposes. There is no definite way to determine where they will go, but fate -- and hitzusen, inevitability-- will determine that, as it had already determined their meeting.

As for Syaoran, his wish is the most urgent and dire of the three, so he must give up the most precious thing to him -- his relationship with Sakura. Even if all of Sakura's memories are returned to her, the one she will never remember is the one of him. Knowing that, Syaoran accepts the price -- he will never let Sakura die.