Yui had been very serious, while thrashing Miaka, about not letting Miaka have Tamahome.

Tamahome: It's alright. I'll be right here. You can sleep. I'll watch over you.

Miaka: You really won't go away?

Tamahome: Right

Miaka, to be sure, latches on very tightly to Tamahome's arm (both superdeformed)

Tamahome: You're so untrusting!

Then while Miaka is sleeping, Tamahome is shown, thinking hard, then gets up, kisses Miaka softly on her sleeping lips, and leaves the palace, telling Miaka to take care of herself. Outside, the Kutou warriors see him, and Tamahome goes with them, making sure they first give there word they won't attack any more villages.

The next morning, Miaka searches frantically for Tamahome, and tells the seishi that he is missing. She holds a notebook in which Tamahome had written a note for her. She asks Hotohori to read it. In the note, Tamahome tells Miaka he has left for Kutou country, and asks Miaka to find the other 3 seishi. "When they are all gathered, I'll be back"

Miaka is tearful and is very upset, yelling of how Tamahome said yesterday that he wouldn't leave her and now he's up and gone. She runs tearfully away. Later that day, though, she has gathered with Nuriko and Chichiri to tell Hotohori that they are off to find the 3 remaining seishi. With Miaka is a circular mirror that Taitsukun gave her, which will glow when they are near to finding a seishi. They leave but Chichiri comes back to take Hotohori's place as emperor so that Hotohori can go and protect/be with Miaka.

Meanwhile, in Kutou, Tamahome is sitting defiantly at the palace. Yui is caring for him, but all he has on his mind, is going back to Miaka and Konan with Yui, althogh Yui swears she will not let Tamahome go.

Now, Miaka and Nuriko have stopped at a dining place in the mountains, but this diner is run by bandits who quickly try to kill Miaka and Nuriko for their money. Hotohori comes just in time to save Miaka, sticking his sword in the back of her attacker. Afterwards, they walk on together through a forest, and Hotohori gives Miaka the last part of Tamahome's letter. In it Tamahome writes 'Wo Ai Ni'. Hotohori explains that it expresses the depth of his feelings for Miaka. Literally, it means 'I love you'.

Hotohori: Tamahome went into enemy territory for his family, country, and for his love, YOU.

Miaka is so upset by this. She says she knows and must understand but she is too saddened by her need to be with Tamahome and his promise to be with her and not leave her. Hotohori comforts her as she cries, and looks into her eyes, he tries to kiss her, but Miaka pushes away and say 'No, don't.'

Miaka cares for the emperor greatly but it is Tamahome she is in love with. Hotohori asks if Miaka loves Tamahome that much. He says that he knows he is not the one Miaka cares for but he loves her nonetheless. Miaka is upset by Hotohori's words of love, but they don't have long to sort things out. Immedialty, mountain bandits have set a trap for the seishi and Miaka. All 3 gets knocked out and hurt. The badits take the 3, unconcious, to their hide out in the mountains. This is where we meet the 4th seishi. His name is Tasuki, but goes by Genrou, and he doesn't want to reveal himself as a seishi just yet.

Quick summary of everything that happens at the mountains. Miaka is almost raped by a big, fat, nasty ugly guy who is battling to be leader of the bandits against Tasuki - who is the true leader of the bandits. The former leader (now dead) chose Tasuki to be the new leader, but while Tasuki was away, the fat guy took over, and as part of his ugly habits, steals and takes advantage of young girls. Hotohori and Miaka save Miaka before she is raped by the ugly guy, only to have her stolen by Tasuki.

Miaka is taken to another hideout and she and Tasuki are joined by his handsome friend, Kouji! Although the two men are holding Miaka hostage, she doesn't play the part of a hostage and instead, conspires with the two, on how to get Tasuki his position as leader of the bandits from the fat ugly guy. They return to the original hideout, where they meet up with Nuriko and Hotohori, who is convinced by Miaka that the two are ok and can help them. Tasuki then gives Miaka some special cards and tells her that you can write the name of something you like on those cards, and it will appear. She writes the names of food, and when tasuki throws the cards, the attacks fail! (DOH!)

While a battle ensues between Kouji, Tasuki, Nuriko, Hotohori, Miaka, vs the badits and the fat guy, Miaka is captured but is saved by...TAMAHOME! He kicks major butt, but how is that possible when he is in Kutou? Miaka runs to hug her beloved hero, but he disappears before her, and all that is left is a card. Miaka had written the name of something she most liked....Tamahome.

Now, Tasuki won't tell Miaka, still, that he is in fact the 5th seishi, but tells her that his former leader, was Tasuki. Since he is dead, this leads them to a village where it is rumoured there is a woman, Shoka, who can raise the dead and make them living once more. In this episode, the seishi and Miaka learn of demons in the village and run into some in the forest. They are captured and almost killed when Tasuki arrives and Lekka Shiens the demon's corpses. Lekka Shien is the incantation Tasuki yells when he spreads his special Halisan (looks like a fan but shoots forth fire).

He explains to Miaka and the seishi that he is a Suzaku seishi and shows his symbol, explaining that he had not wanted to disrespect the wishes of his former leader in making HIM the new leader, but Tasuki made Kouji leader, and joined the seishi. Soon, Miaka falls sick with fever, the same disease that has plagued the village and makes everyone die. In order to save people from the disease, they must be killed, to end their pain, and then Shoka brings them back to life, anew. Miaka asks Hotohori to kill her so that Shoka can bring her back to life, but Hotohori can't do it. Instead Hotohori, Nuriko and Tasukoi search for a local doctor who can heal. This man is none other than Mitsukake. As Miaka lays near death, Hotohori, Nuriko and Tasuki beg on their knees that Mitsukake help them save Miaka. They tell him she is with Shoka. But Mitsukake explains that Shoka died a year ago.

Meanwhile, Shoka has been trying to kill Miaka, but Miaka dodges every attempt. She tells Shoka that she must stay alive until the seishi return with help because there are people depending on her: a man who she loves and always wants to be with, a girl who has been her best friend since kindergarten, who's had a hard time because of Miaka.

Miaka: Sure I am in agony because of the disease, but I can tolerate it because of them.

Shoka is soon revealed to be a demon - possessed a year ago when she was dying, and she is also Mitsukake's love. He arrives in time to defeat the demon in Shoka and to reveal that he is a seishi.

Back in Kutou, Tamahome has learned of Miaka's sickness and tries to escape Kutou to get to her. He runs into Yui who won't let him leave and is fully stopped by Nakago who imprisons Tamahome in a cell and whips over and over again. Nakago says this will teach him and tells Tamahome to say he he'll never mention Suzaku No Miko again, and will only live for Yui. At this, Tamahome only sticks out his tongue, and earns MORE whippings, it continues ferociously, with blood splattering everywhere, with Yui screaming STOP HE'LL DIE. But Nakago doesn't stop. Finally, Tamahome passes out, and they unshackle him, he collapses to the ground and Yui runs to him.

Nakago tells Tamahome that he will never see Konan again, or Miaka. Tamahome though, can only utter Miaka's name as he sighs and loses conciousness. At this same moment, Miaka wakes up hearing Tamahome call her name, but thinks it's just a dream. She misses Tamahome and Yui very much and vows to get them both back

We now arrive at 'Episode 17', 'Searching for the last seishi'. All the seishi (minus Tamahome and the last one to be found) come to Tamahome's village. Cheuei (Tamahome's brother - 2nd oldest) sees Miaka and begs for her help, because Tamahome's father is in pain. She and Mitsukake rush to Tamahome's home and Mitsukake heals the father. While the seishi all browse Tamahome's place, Hotohori is overwhelmed by the poverty he sees, and he vows to improve his politics so that even the lowest class family will be well off.

Meanwhile, Tamahome has been passed out for 3 days since the whipping, and Yui has been caring for him since. He wakes up asks Yui how Miaka is doing. Tamahome still doesn't understand how much Yui hates/feel anger towards Miaka.

Yui: Why!? Why do you worry about her after being beaten? Why don't you leave her for good?! (she forecefully kisses him and tells him she loves him. Asks him not to talk about Miaka anymore. She says she will do anything for Tamahome.

Tamahome looks incredulously at Yui and asks 'Yui how could you??!!' He is appalled at her behavior and she runs away crying

Back at Tamahome's home, the Kutou enemy has set a trap for Suzaku no Miko and her seishi. While sleeping, Miaka is lured out by beautiful flute music, and is attacked by bats. The seishi comes to help and are also attacked. The same flute music then sends the bats away and a boy, calling himself, Chiriko appears. He reveals him to be a 'seishi'. Miaka and the other seishi are overjoyed at finding the last seishi. Miaka happily sighs and says that now she can get Tamahome back, call Suzaku, and her relationship with Yui will be back the way it used to be.

When they return to Konan, a Chichiri who had been utterly bored being emperor greets Miaka and the rest overjoyed. Hotohori resumes his rightful role as emperor and appears before them, much to the shock of Tasuki, Mitsukake, and the new seishi 'Chiriko'. All think now about how to get Tamahome and the scroll of the 4 Gods, Sky and Earth back from Kutou.

Miaka looks up at Hotohori and announces that SHE will be the one to get Tamahome and the scroll back. Chichiri says that he will go with her and says that it is best they give Tamahome some kind of warning.

Tamahome is in his room at Kutou palace, staring at the moon. He thinks about Yui's admission of love. 'What a mess. This is a first for me. The other world's girls are so aggressive.' He thinks of how Yui told him to forget about Miaka and leave her. 'Miaka's best friend is very ill', he thinks to himself. 'How can she say something like that? I don't understand women.'

Suddenly Tamahome hears Chichiri calling to him. Chichiri has arranged it so that Miaka can talk to Tamahome and tell him about a special arrangement to meet and get away from Kutou. Miaka is very excited at being able to see Tamahome, gets all dressed up, does her hair, and runs excitedly to the place where Chichiri is. He tells her to look at the folding screen and concentrate. Soon, the folding screen vanishes and we see a mirror. A shadowy form of Tamahome appears and it clears to reveal Tamahome's loving eyes, stunned and happy to see Miaka after so long.

They both stare at eachother in awe and amazement, then Miaka starts running to Tamahome (forgettting that there's still a mirror separating the two) and *WHAM* slams right into it (ouch!). Tamahome laughs, as one who loves her can, and says that he KNEW she'd do something like that. (*smile*)

He asks Miaka about her illness and she tells him how Mitsukake is seishi and that he healed her and they have found all the seishi. He is very happy about this and their hands touch eachother's on the face of the mirror. She tells him about his family and how his father has been healed by Mitsukake. His father told her to tell him that from now on, Tamahome should live happily as a seishi, he's the pride of the family. Cheuei says that he is taking care of his sisters so 'brother don't worry.'

At that moment, Yui arrives carrying tea and hears Miaka and Tamahome talking.

Miaka: Then tomorrow night. whent he moon is straight up...wait where we agreed. I can really see you for a change.

Tamahome: Miaka (says this soft and tenderly)

Miaka: Tamahome

They press their lips together to the mirror to kiss eachother.

Tamahome: I love you.

Chichiri announces it's over the time limit and the connection breaks. Miaka's still got her lips pressed to the mirror though and won't let go. Tamahome is releived and happy to see Miaka is ok, the seishi gathered, and that he can finally go home. But then....Yui walks in....

Yui: WHY? WHY was Miaka???

Tamahome: Tomorrow, Miaka will come for us. (Yui gasps as Tamahome continues) All the seishi have been brought together. We can finally go back. You'll be able to see Miaka again.

Yui takes grabs Tamahome, takes his hand and places it on her breast.

Yui: I'll give myself to you. I love you Tamahome. From the 1st time I saw you.

Tamahome is shocked by all of this. Shocked by her behavior because she s supposed to be Miaka's best friend. He does not expect this kind of blatant behavior from Yui at all and tells her to take her hand away from him. he is trying to be gentle, as he doesn't want to hurt Yui's feelings.

Yui: How come? You met Miaka and I at the same time. Why didn't you choose me?

Tamahome: Leave me (he looks at her with pity in his eyes that she can't understand how he loves Miaka)

Yui: (her eyes widen) That...that much...you love Miaka? (finally understanding)

Tamahome: I can't make love to you. I love someone so deeply, that I am devoted to protecting that someone. That someone...is Miaka. So I'm not interested in you that way. (his voice is gentle, soft, but firm) Sorry Yui.

Yui runs away and straight into Nakago's arms and tells him that Tamahome will leave and that she doesn't want to give him up to Miaka. Even though Tamahome has made it clear he doesn't love Yui or want her in any way like that, she still won't give him up. Her hatred for Miaka and anger at her has grown to the point that reason won't get through, and all she can think of is getting Tamahome away from Miaka and hurting Miaka as evidenced by the next scene:

Nakago gives Yui a small envelope and inside is a mind altering drug. 'If you want Tamahome to be yours, use that to make him yours forever.'

At that same moment, Miaka is staring at the moon, thinking of Tamahome. 'Tamahome we'll see eachother again right? For sure...won't we?' She makes a wish on a shooting star to see Tamahome again.

The next morning, preparations are being made for the ceremony to call forth Suzaku. Nuriko wakes Miaka up with a gift for her: 'Love and Affection Dolls'.

Nuriko: They're very popular with the city girls. Put the boys name on the male doll, and your name on the female doll. If you bury it without anyone seeing you, your relationship will be forever. (he comments wryly that it didn't work for a homosexual HAHAHA *smile*)

Miaka writes hers and Tamahome's names on the dolls and wishes that they could be together from now on. But all of a sudden, the dolls break apart in the middle, seperating the symbolic Tamahome and Miaka, much to the shock of Nuriko and Miaka. Nuriko looks very worried but for Miaka's benefit puts on a cheery face and tells her there's nothing to worry about, and says that he must have knocked them around and cracked them by accident.

That night, Tamahome sneaks out of his room to go to the meeting place and meet Miaka, but on his way, he overhears Yui and Nakago talking. Yui is telling Nakago how she tried to put the drug into his food but couldn't do it. Nakago tells her that to get something done, humans must be cold hearted. Tamahome hears Nakago say to Yui how she became Seiryuu No Miko of her own free will and that it was to revenge herself against Suzaku No Miko who betrayed her.

Nakago: Will you return Tamahome to that little trouble maker so easily? Are you going to allow her to be happy?

Tamahome listens to all this and is very angered at learning that Yui, of her own free will, has chosen to be Miaka's enemy, when all that Miaka does, is love her and Yui to save her. Later, Tamahome charges into the area where Yui is bathing to demand:

Tamahome: Before I go to Miaka, there's something I have to ask you. Did you become Seiryuu No Miko by your choice? To become your best friend's enemy? (Yui makes no reply so he shouts angrily) DID YOU!!???

Yui responds, her voice cold, calculating: That's how it is. But it's because of her. It's her fault, she betrayed me fist. It's HER fault I was brutalized. If I was like I was before, I wouldn't have even thought about taking you from Miaka. I would've given up. But I won't give you to the one who betrayed me.

Tamahome: (shocked at what Yui is saying and how evil and cold she has become) Yui..you..you? Aren't you best friends? (this is such a contrast to Miaka who does nothing but keep having faith in Yui, Yui though has given up on their friendship, has allowed coldness and hatred to linger in her heart, and turned on the oldest and dearest friend she has)

Tamahome: You don't want to come back to Konan? (no reply) I guess I'll leave you behind. (he walks away but at that moment someone places a pot of incense on the floor)

As Tamahome walks away thinking of the evil character Yui has become, he is paralyzed and can't move. Yui walks up to him, and he is in such pain that he falls to his knees. Two servants come around him and ask 'What's the matter tamahome? can't move? You're under the power of the drug, jako'

He stuggles to leave and shouts at them to let him go

Yui: (walking up with cold eyes says): I won't allow it.

She steps down to Tamahome, places the mind altering drug in her mouth, brings Tamahome's face up from his paralyzed form, and kisses him, transferring the drug from her to him. His eyes widen as the drug starts to take effect. He sees one last vision of Miaka, and utters her name, one last time.

Miaka, Chichiri and Tasuki, meanwhile, have been waiting for Tamahome by a big tree surrouned by a garden with fragrant flowers - that is where he told her to meet him. They anxiously look for Tamahome when they hear a noise in the thicket. They turn and see spears come out. Yui appears with the warriors. A cold, evil smile on her lips as she looks disdainfully at Miaka.

Yui: It's been a while Miaka

Miaka: YUI!! (she is shocked and her eyes widen as we see that our suzaku seishi are surrounded by the enemy and trapped)