Disclaimer: I DO NOT own XXXHolic. This story is meant to be enjoyed for entertainment purposes. XXXHolic and its characters (aside from a few of the characters of my own creation) are the sole property of Clamp and its creators.

Note: This story takes place after XXXHolic season 2 (XXXHolic Kei). If you have not seen all of that season, DO NOT read my story or you will be lost and given spoilers!

Prologue: "There are many strange things in this world. However, no matter how strange or bizarre an incident, if there is no one there, if there is no one to see it, if it didn't concern them, it would merely be phenomenon. Just something gone. This is because people are the strangest and most profound mysteries in this world," Yuuko Ichihara.

Chapter 1: A Normal Day in the Life of Watanuki Kimihiro

As the hands struck 6:00 am, the alarm clock went off signaling the start of the day. Groggily, the young man of seventeen, known as Watanuki Kimihiro, reached to his bedside and shut off the clock before grabbing his glasses and putting them on. Sitting up he stifled a yawn and made his way to the kitchen to prepare the usual three bentos (lunch boxes).

"Another day, another meal to prepare," he said to no one in particular as the turned on his rice cooker and brushing a strand of black hair from his face.

"I should run by the store later to pick up more groceries before heading to Yuuko-san's," he mumbled aloud as he opened the fridge and pulled out a package of fried tofu. Tofu, in which he was planning on using in preparing Inarizushi. And Inarizushi, in which he promised to a certain stone-faced archer to whom he once again owed another favor. Recalling the latest run-in of a particularly nasty spirit Watanuki couldn't help but frown and growl as he thought back to the incident. He was coming back late one night from another busy night at Yuuko's shop before being taken by surprise by one of the more nasty spirits that stalked him. He ran away as fast as he could but ended up getting cornered and nearly devoured if Doumeki hadn't shown up and sleighed the spirit when he did. And of course before turning round and leaving he simply stated he wanted Inarizushi for lunch next time. Seething quietly to himself, Watanuki grumbled insults towards his supposed savior until the rice cooker beeped. Sighing he decided to put it out of his mind.

"Yup, just another typical day."

Around 7:00 am, Watanuki left his apartment complex wearing his usual black school uniform clutching his school briefcase and bag of bentos and proceeded down the street for school. He walked along quietly scanning the walkway ahead of him for any possible spirits that may have been lingering around, however they were hardly ever out at this time of day but Watanuki couldn't help but be wary just in case, experience had taught him that. Another yawn crept up on him as he covered his mouth.

"Guess I didn't get enough sleep last night," he thought to himself. "Then again I probably would've slept better if Yuuko-san didn't have me stay at her shop till 10:00 last night fetching her bottle after bottle of liquor. I wouldn't be surprised if she ends up getting a hangover today."

"Oi," a deep yet monotonous voice called out bringing Watanuki out of his thoughts. However, Watanuki cringed as he felt his anger building as he knew full well who it was who beckoned him.

"Oi,"

"I TOLD YOU MY NAME'S NOT 'OI'!" Watanuki snapped whirling around to face the other teen. Doumeki Shizuka stood before him with a look of indifference on his face as he clasped his schoolbag and archery case.

"Did you make the Inarizushi for lunch today?" He asked ignoring Watanuki's last shout.

"I'M NOT YOUR PERSONAL CHEF!" Watanuki shouted resulting in Doumeki wordlessly plugging his ears still with the same look of indifference on his face. Sighing Watanuki stomped off towards the direction of the school grounds as Doumeki followed. "And yeah I made your stupid lunch you gluttonous pig!" Watanuki snapped.

"You sure seem grouchy. Not get enough sleep last night?" Doumeki asked unfazed by the insult.

"Yeah, I guess what with working at Yuuko's, school, and of course your ridiculous lunch orders, it would be safe to assume that I DON'T have a lot of time to myself."

"Least you haven't been stalked any really dangerous spirits lately, right?" Watanuki contemplated this for a second and decided to give him that much. He hadn't seen any big spirits around since the aforementioned encounter that resulted in Doumeki's lunch request. Of course he still saw spirits but just the little ones that wandered the streets and did no real damage.

"Yeah I guess your right," he responded. "In any case, don't get used to me making you lunches. You have two arms that aren't broken so you can make it yourself!"

"I'm not as good of a cook as you are," Doumeki said flatly. Watanuki was about to make a comeback but was clearly taken aback by the sudden compliment. "Besides, as long as you keep getting yourself into trouble what am I supposed to do, sit back and let you get eaten?"

"Doumeki…" Watanuki started not helping but feel kind of touched at the concern Doumeki gave in his well-being.

"But I wouldn't worry too much," Doumeki continued. "I'm pretty sure that any spirit who takes a bite out of you will end up getting sick or indigestion."

"WHY YOU!" Watanuki started shouting and ranting causing Doumeki to plug his ears once again as they continued down the street that lead to school.

Around noon the bell rang signaling it was time for lunch. Watanuki got up from his seat carrying the bag of bentos and exited the classroom heading for the usual spot out in the courtyard under the cherry blossom trees that were slowly beginning to bud. In the shade sat a feminine figure that Watanuki knew all too well.

"HIMAWARI-CHAN!" Watanuki cried out dreamily as he made his way over to her twirling and spinning as little hearts encircled him all the while. The girl, Kunogi Himawari, turned to him and gave her usual cheery smile while a little yellow bird known as Tanpopo sat on her shoulder twittering happily.

"Hello Watanuki-kun," she responded in her usual way that made Watanuki swoon regardless of the "condition" that surrounded her. "We were wondering when you would show up." Watanuki stopped fawning when he heard this.

"We?" He repeated dreading what she meant. Sure enough his suspicions were confirmed.

"Yo," Doumeki said in his usual manner as he showed up behind Watanuki and took his bento out from the bag Watanuki carried.

"AND WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?" Watanuki spat accusingly.

"It's lunchtime and I'm hungry." Doumeki simply responded and dug into the bento without another word.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT!" Watanuki hollered as he ruffled his hair in frustration. At this Himawari only giggled (as well as Tanpopo who chirped jovially) at the antics in front of her.

"You two are such good friends," she said smiling.

"Himawari-chan it's not like that at all!" Watanuki said his attitude switching from furious to pouting. "We don't like each other in the least and everyone knows it."

"Yeah because everyone thinks the same way you do," Doumeki retorted after swallowing a bite of his lunch.

"YOU STAY OUT OF THIS AND KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT!" Watanuki yelled causing Doumeki to plug his ears for the somethingth time that day. Himawari only continued to giggle as Watanuki plopped down with a sigh and took his and Himawari's bentos from the bag and proceeding to eat.

After school Watanuki hurried out the school gates and to the market as fast as he could. He knew that if he showed up late to Yuuko's shop, there would be hell to pay and he shuddered at the thought of whatever she would think up for him. He entered the store and 15 minutes later re-emerged carrying two bags of groceries as he trotted down the street. He glanced at his watch.

"Five minutes until I'm supposed to start my shift, if I hurry I should be able to make it with a minute or so to spare." Watanuki kept jogging until he stopped at the crosswalk ahead and reluctantly had to wait for the light to change. "Great, what else could happen," he thought bitterly. Suddenly a chill ran down his spine as he mentally kicked himself for opening his big, fat mouth. Slowly he turned his head to find a cluster of spirits that eyed him with a look that Watanuki did not like. Gulping he prepared himself to take a running start once the light changed and once it did he shot down the street as fast as his legs could carry him and sure enough the spirits followed in suit.

Somehow, Watanuki made it to Yuuko's shop in once piece despite the awkward stares he got from countless people as he literally grappled with the spirit (or thin air from everyone else's perspective). But he made it to Yuuko's shop somewhat on time sweating and panting heavily clutching his belongings and groceries before collapsing to the floor on his stomach.

"I'm here," he muffled from the floor announcing his arrival and was greeted by the pitter-patter of feet. He looked up to see the two twins Maru and Moro and of course the black pork bun known as Mokona.

"Watanuki's returned, Watanuki's returned!" the twins sing-songed dancing around Watanuki who climbed to his feet.

"Welcome home!" Mokona chorused bouncing up and down.

"The mistress has been waiting," Maru and Moro informed as Watanuki slipped off his shoes and walked down the hall carrying the groceries.

"Got it," Watanuki confirmed as he headed for Yuuko's "study." He slid open the doors causing the heavy stench of smoke to waft out. Waving the smoke away he entered to find Yuuko sprawled out in her usual fashion smoking her pipe.

"Yuuko-san," he spoke up getting her attention. She looked to him with half-lidded eyes.

"You're late," she simply stated.

"Eh! B-By only like a minute or so," Watanuki protested. "I would have been here sooner but I was getting groceries for dinner and I was chased by spirits on my way here."

"And Doumeki wasn't with you?" She asked raising a brow to him. Watanuki took a step back before looking away.

"Of course not! I'm not dependent on that jerk!" He snapped. "Besides he had practice today and I wasn't going to wait for him and end up being late," he muttered.

"Hmm," Yuuko said with her all knowing smirk. "In that case since you're so eager to get to work, you can start by fetching me a couple of sake bottles and some snacks before you dust the treasure room."

"EH!" Watanuki blurted out.

"Snacks and sake, snacks and sake," the twins chanted as they entered the room.

"Lots and lots of sake!" Mokona chipped in.

"IT'S 4:00 IN THE AFTERNOON!" Watanuki tried to reason.

"So get to it chore boy," Yuuko and Mokona said in unison. Watanuki grumbled a "fine" and put on his smock and head rag and entered the kitchen with bags in hand.

"It really is one of those days," Watanuki sighed.