I'm offering the same preface I did to my other omnibus reviews: Writing reviews for xxxHolic is a futile sort of thing, because it's a story that, in all honesty, is greater than the sum of its parts, which I do actually mean in the best way I can. It's just, the gut punch that is this series requires the build up, requires the many moving pieces slowly fitting into a solid machine of grief and longing and bento boxes (and by many moving pieces, I don't mean the plot events related in Tsubasa--those are the number one reason I never authentically recommend this series for others, as it makes no gotdamn sense thanks to the the Tsubasa crossover arc). Also, reviewing is difficult, as I am completely unable to be objective about this series. So what's going to happen is I'm going give a rough review of what happens in each omnibus and how much pain it's going to cause, strictly so I can remind myself later when I'm trying to remember what events happen where. As such, spoilers abound.
Omnibus #3 contains volumes #7-9. The bulk of this omnibus is the EYE-CONIQUE (okay, I'll stop now) Joro-Gumo arc in which Doumeki and Watanuki become closer in ways CLAMP just loves to write and we just love to read. There are also some lighter episodic stories, and the introduction of two phenomenal characters: Haruka-san and Kohane. This is, again, an omnibus that muses on the nature of choice and self-worth. This part of the story really pushes Watanuki (and readers) to consider how he impacts others, and how his view of himself ripples out towards the people that care about him. Doumeki is pushed, too, and the complicated connection he shares with Watanuki only becomes more complicated. There's pain here, but it's manageable. Certainly easier to swallow than what's coming.