Kohaku and Koryu head to the past, Kohaku compelled by a desire to see what has turned Shuichrio so sad, and Koryu driven by his own hidden impulses, likely bad ones. Once there, they witness the relationship between Shuichiro and his (step)mom shortly after his father had died. Shuichiro's mom tells him goodbye, explaining that without his father there is no reason for her to remain. Kohaku grieves for the pain Shuichiro feels, and wonders why it is all affecting her so much. After they have witnessed the event they came to see, Koryu opens the portal to return to their proper time, but ensures that Kohaku is left behind. Well, we knew that he had some nefarious purpose all along. Kohaku is horrified to think of all the years she will have to wait to see Shuichiro again. However, Shuichiro's mother speaks to her, despite the fact that a mortal shouldn't have been able to see her, and uses her power to send Kohaku to the present. Meanwhile, Hisui and Kokuyo have found Koryu and forced the truth out of him. They are not pleased with his trick, but before they can formulate a plan, Kohaku returns. They ask her how she was able to travel through time on her own, which requires a power beyond her abilities, and she reveals that Shuichiro's mother sent her. Since his mom was the spirit of a wisteria tree, she had some unique abilities, but sending Kohaku back took the last of her energy. Kohaku realizes that the wisteria tree is blasted and dead, and she cries. Shuichiro finds them all in this attitude, and invites them back home.

Kohaku now knows some of the history behind Shuichiro, and more importantly, she is beginning to understand her own feelings. Koryu continues to be an imp that provides naughty fun for the story, and Hisui and Kokuyo are still an admirable power couple that exude cool. The emphasis of this manga is not on action or complicated plot lines, but the relationships of these celestial creatures, and especially that between Kohaku and Shuichiro. This volume provides a big development for Kohaku in that department, and maintains the sweet and subtle tone of the first book in the series. You want to see what happens next because you really care about these characters, and because it seems like it would be idyllic to live along with them. This is one of CLAMP's more mellow series, and I like it - it is an overlooked story deserving of the read. ( )

Yes its edited, yes the translation isn't that great. But I love the pictures anyway. ( )