I had read some of the xxxHolic series that runs in parallel with this one, and was intrigued enough to pick up a few volumes of this as well; found this good-condition copy on the used-manga racks at Harrisons Comics. [I enjoyed the anime adaptation very much indeed - it's got perhaps the best musical score I've heard in an anime, or in any film or TV series come to that. I liked the music so much I bought the CD, and now when I read the manga I can hear the soundtrack in my head!]

This volume follows on one of the most dramatic sequences in the series, and picks up with Kurogane as he reveals how much he's learned about the true nature of strength - and that he has no regrets about the sacrifice he made to save Fai. Fai himself has learned a few things, too... and made a sacrifice of his own for Kurogane's sake. (They're so marvelous together!)

But the adventure is far from over, and we see how the other members of the party are getting along - Syaoran having a magical meeting with Watanuki (from xxxHolic), hinting at the connections between them, and Yuuko explaining more about Fei-Wong and the secret behind the entire situation. And then Syaoran undertakes a serious duel with a powerful foe for another of Sakura's memory-feathers...

[See its TV Tropes page for more background and interesting tidbits about the intersection with xxxHolic and other CLAMP series. There are spoilers, mostly masked, but still, be warned!]

I left this book in the Little Free Library; hope someone enjoys it!

[See other recent releases in NH here.]

*** Released for the 2018 TV Series release challenge. ***