xxxHOLiC Manga Chapter 195

SPOILER Summary/Synopsis: Watanuki understands Usagi’s strange request with Jorô-Gumo having appeared. She complains about the barrier over the store, which Watanuki states is to keep certain people known to steal things out. Jorô-Gumo states that she’s there as a customer and so Watanuki leads her to a small room filled with cushions that have been stuffed with fur from the Kuda-Kitsune. Further, the fox fire of Kuda-Kitsune lights the room and those flames won’t hurt Watanuki but would damage Jorô-Gumo.

After serving some wine, Jorô-Gumo becomes very flirty and is all over Watanuki as she makes her request as a customer for him to find something for her. He agrees as long as she pays the price so as a down payment, Jorô-Gumo kisses Watanuki.

Over dinner, Watanuki tells Doumeki about the visit from Jorô-Gumo, which is why Watanuki has Kuda-Kitsune out. Leaving Doumeki and Mokona to finish their meal and have some liquor, Watanuki summons Maru and Moro and has them prepare a water basin. Doumeki asks what Watanuki is looking for and Watanuki’s answer is a crimson pearl.

Thoughts/Review: Outside of Watanuki’s initial surprise at seeing Jorô-Gumo, Watanuki shows exactly how much he’s matured. He tossed in a verbal jab at Jorô-Gumo about stealing things and even jests about his eye which she consumed in their previous encounter. Then he has her in a room where she’s at a disadvantage should she start something. When she uses her “feminine wiles” on Watanuki, he plays right along, unfazed by it all. When she kisses him (and for some reason, CLAMP chooses to not show the kiss completely by cutting off most of Watanuki’s and Jorô-Gumo’s head from the shot), again he goes with the flow. I kept thinking of how the Watanuki of old would have freaked out about that. While I had no problem with that behavior back then, I am VERY glad to see this new Watanuki. ^_^

As to Jorô-Gumo, she too seemed impressed with how Watanuki is now. I can see her wanting Watanuki as a mate after this mission is over. That could be a most interesting development, especially if Zashiki-Warashi and Himawari-chan are still around. ^_^ It is still too early to speculate on that, but I wouldn’t mind seeing something along those lines.

I haven’t seen anything special about a “crimson pearl” before so who knows what exactly that is. If Watanuki is using a basin of water and a full moonlight night, then I figure he’s going to travel to whatever realm the Zashiki-Warashi lives in, or at least something similar That way he’d technically not be leaving the store I suppose if his body remained there but his spirit traveled abroad. Then again, the basin may be used as nothing more than a scrying glass. ‘Twill be interesting to see.

Good to see Kudo-Kitsune back. ^_^

So, this new story arc has gotten off to a rather interesting start. I look forward to reading more, providing CLAMP doesn’t go south on us. ^_^;