Finally, they come right out and say it: Watanuki's obsession with Himawari is a bad thing. Apparently she is the cause of bad events to anyone who is close to her, including many of the things that have happenned to Watanuki. Yet he is determined to stay in love with her, as well as to fix whatever this problem is... It's not really possible to change this, but he does manage to give her a consequence-free companion in the shape of a magical bird, so there is some hope. ( )

xxxHolic #9 & 10 (Manga Monday)
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Title: xxxHolic #9 & 10
Series: xxxHolic
Author & Artist: CLAMP
Rating: 4 of 5 Stars
Genre: Manga

Synopsis:
Watanuki has several adventures, but is introduced to a young psychic girl whose mother is keeping her under lock and key to keep her 'pure' so her gift doesn't go away. Seems she can sense and instinctively know what to do about dead people who haven't passed on
At the same time, he is forced to accept that really bad things happen to him around Himiwari but Watanuki being Watanuki, he refuses to allow that to change how he thinks about her or acts towards her.

My Thoughts:
I found these 2 books to be very melancholic and yet at the very end, hopeful.

Meeting the little psychic girl was just sad. Her mother is using her for her own profit and not thinking about the girl at all. Watanuki just sees a little girl who is alone and has to deal with the spirit world on her own and he simply reaches out to her and is her friend. He gives her a dream balloon, goes on a picnic date with her and generally connects her to humanity. It was kind of heart breaking.

The second main thing was dealing with Himawari and Watanuki almost dies [falls out a second story window at school]. During his recovering we find out that it isn't just Watanuki who has bad luck around her, but everyone, except for her parents and Domeki, who seems to be immune to most things spiritual. Himawari attempts to give up her friendship with Watanuki to save him, but he rejects that and tells her she makes him happy, even when things go bad and that he won't give up their friendship.
Yuko makes a gift that he can give Himawari that won't be affected by her, so that she'll have some companionship and be reminded of Watanuki.

I am finding this series to be deep in developing characters, funny with humor and interesting, creepy, sad and lovely with all the little stories. Definitely glad I own this series. " ( )

Well we finally have an idea about what is up with Himiwari-chan and it is sad. She is bad luck for everyone around her. So she is used to being left because people get hurt around her but Kimihiro refuses to do that. He loves her, just as she is and does not care about that. It is so sweet and he promises to not make her cry and of course he makes her cry by saying that and meaning it. Again Watanuki meets the young girl who can see spirits like him. She is so sad and interesting. But Yuko is being mysterious about her and everything else as per usual. Good volume if a little sad and over the top. The plot finally answered one question but so many more remain. CLAMP is good about pacing. They do not let too much just hang on forever without getting something done. Like what was going on with Himiwari-chan. She really is so cute.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. ( )

This one was a great addition to the series with a twist I've been obsessing about since I read it! With an attempt to not give too many spoilers I will say that Watanuki finally learns the reason behind Yuko's continued warnings against Himawari and he also finds out more about Domeki's grandfather. Also, I'm enjoying the addition of the couple pages of full color panels which have been appearing in recent volumes. ( )