Miaka: And were YOU worried about me?
Tamahome: Yes
Miaka: I'm happy.
Tamahome: You're news all over the country . . . because of Suzako No Miko, I can live in this palace . . .
Miaka: Don't bother yourself - I'm not lonely. If I were to worry - it would be about where to get fresh underwear.
Tamahome then grabs Miaka and holds her tight.
Tamahome: Don't be unreasonable. When you feel like it, cry hard.
Miaka: Yes
Tamahome: As an exception, I will be your brother, without charge.
He hugs Miaka tighter and Miaka collapses into his embrace. She think to herself 'So warm...'

Tamahome: I said I'd protect you, so no matter what, I'll protect you.

Miaka: 'Tamahome, when you did that (saving her under the rubble). . . my heart was overwhelmed. He went that far to save me...'

Tamahome: Some things are too important to be sold. (says this when bandits corner him and Miaka and the leader says he'll buy Miaka from Tamahome)

Miaka: It IS! - Because I..I'm IN LOVE WITH YOU!

Miaka: I've found myself in love, and I have already lost him. (she begins to cry)

Tamahome: Jealous? Hmph! Me? Let's stop kidding. I just met Miaka a short time ago. ME? I only have a soft spot for money - O-KA-NE (he ennunciates each syllable of the word for money). That's why I'm not jealous. (and with that he walks away from Nuriko, and leans against a pillar, looking up at the sky with a sad face and thinks to himself, 'jealous huh?'.

Tamahome: When you said that (said I'm in love with you) What I said was unkind. It was the first time a woman said she loved me. I thought it couldn't be. I didn't know how to answer. For 17 years, there's only been money on my mind. I'm still that way. But I'll take you to Taitsukun's place. Recover as soon as possible.

Tamahome: Breathing for no purpose is a waste of life.

Nuriko: So don't worry
Miaka: Why should I worry?
Nuriko: You're Tamahome's love.
Miaka: That's not true! Tamahome told me himself!
Nuriko: At the time, he didn't realize it.

Tamahome: Miaka. Is it really you? It was only 3 months, but it felt like 1000 years.
Miaka: Tamahome...(her eyes water with tears of joy)
Tamahome: Miaka...(they embrace)
As they embrace Miaka thinks to herself: 'I missed you. You're so warm. I can hear your heart beating. Who cares if he IS from a different world. I want to stay like this. I love him so much.' And her tears fall.
Tamahome: Looks like you're feeling better. (he smiles down at her and wipes her tears away tenderly)

Tamahome: Don't make that face. I'm with you. I won't let anything happen to you.

Tamahome: Are you alright Miaka?
Miaka: Will you stop it? Stop putting yourself in danger for me!
Tamahome: Why are you saying that? I can't leave you alone Miaka. You see how it can be. I have to be with you.
Miaka: (thinking of Chichiri's warning that there will be victims if she isn't responsible) says: I don't want you to. Please leave me alone!
Tamahome: (shocked and a little hurt, unbelieving, grabs Miaka from behind and holds her tight and says>: Can't I be with you? While you were gone, I wanted to see you so badly. For the 1st time, I was aware of my feelings. I couldn't even focus with you gone. I have to keep you safe.
They turn and face eachother and embrace.
Tamahome: No matter what, don't be away from me.
Miaka (thinking to herself): Tamahome...I want to be..always..in your arms. Surely Tamahome would protect me..probably instead of himself. But Tamahome...Tamahome has a family. If something happened to him, what would happen to them? I don't want the one I love to be involved in danger for my sake.

Tamahome: So far I've lived only for my family. Until everyone in my family is happy, I thought I should put all my wishes aside. So I paid no attention to women. But suddenly, Miaka appeared. She....Miaka....filled my heart, I love her. So I'll risk my life for her.

Tamahome: You say it's not my business. You think I'm in trouble because of you. (he grabs her and holds her tight, and kisses her) Even if I do get into trouble for you, I don't give a damn, because I'm in love with you.

Miaka: You're not trouble for me. Back in my world, I couldn't forget you. That's why I came back. I love you too much to put you in danger.

Tamahome: I'll make no excuses. But let me say this. I love Miaka. So I'm not going to hand her over to anybody.

Tamahome: Where you're concerned, do you think I give a damn?
Tamahome's oni (ogre) symbol begins to glow
Tamahome: Do you know what the character on my forehead means?
Miaka: Ogre!
Tamahome: Nope. When I was little, everyone teased me about it, but now, I know it means protecting you, and living for you. (she says this so powerfully, so lovingly, so meaningfully, so...GOSH heck I'd fall in love with him if I were Miaka! ;) )
Miaka's eyes fill with loving tears and she grabs Tamahome in a tight hug, moved and touched by his words. She thinks to herself: 'I can't be apart from him - because I love him SO much.
Miaka: (aloud) Can you be with me forever? I'll never part from you,
Miaka: I have only you. I have only you.

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.

Miaka: Tamahome's clothes...Tamahome's smell...I'm NOT alright. From the first moment I saw him, I've never taken my eyes off of him. I've always hung in there because Tamahome was with me. But...not anymore...(she sobs onto his bed)

Miaka sees this and lifts the sword and clasps it firmly into Tamahome's hands. 'Kill me. If it will make you like you used to be, then please, kill me.' (she touches his face tenderly and gently) I'll be ok if you kill me. So don't die. I love you Tamahome. I'll always love you. (she kisses him)
Tamahome has had the sword poised over Miaka, and Nakago's voice flashes through his head 'KILL HER!' he says, but as Miaka says all this, and kisses him and hears her says 'I love you' Tamahome thinks:
Tamahome: This voice...this hair...these lips...(he suddenly remembers Miaka saying 'It's a promise Tamahome! I can really see you for a change. When the moon is straight up, wait there) Tamahome then lets the sword fall to the ground and the red ogre sign BLAZES across his forehead once more. The old Tamahome, our REAL Tamahome, is BACK!
Tamahome: Mia..ka...(he holds her face) What's this? You're crying? Sorry...when the moon was straight up...we promised...but I was late..
Miaka: Uh uh...you made it...just now...it's straight up. I can finally see you Tamahome.
Tamahome: Miaka (he holds her tightly and tenderly then gasps in pain. The earring falls from his left ear.) Hotohori! (he smiles up at the emperor)
Hotohori: (smiling warmly) Tamahome...welcome back. (he calls Mitsukake to heal Tamahome) All sit there in the rain, embracing Tamahome

Tamahome: If I had one wish, it would be one above all else....to be with you - never separated rom you for my whole life.

Miaka takes the ribbon, thinking 'Even while you were controlled by Nakago, you hung onto it. Although he became that way, he still...' She gets emotional realizing that even controlled by Nakago and the mind altering drug, Tamahome had still deeply loved her from within. She hugs him from behind.

Tamahome: Shoot. I figured you came to make passionate love to me. ;)

Miaka: What is it? Something on my face?
Tamahome: No. Just want to be able to look at you forever.

Tamahome: Miaka, I've saved money for myslf and my family. I'm at marriagable age now. Sooner or later I'll be independent. If it's possible, I'll build us a new house. We won't be rich, but we'll be happy. I want to have boys. (we see a shot of a very nervous Tamahome's face) I-I mean...What I want to say is...I want us to marry. (he says this very fast and nervously - so CUTE! :) )

Miaka: I have to separate myself from the two people I love the most...Giving up Tamahome isn't right. I care about them both so much. I want to respond openly, without lies. I told Taitsukun I could take it. What a mistake. But it's like being stupidly forthright. Or just stupid itself.

Tamahome: There's got to be another way. Throw away our feelings? Don't touch eachother? What a laugh. (he smiles) I can't do that (he says strongly) Until calling Suzaku, we...(he punches his fist into a wall very hard in anger. And then briefly tries to touch his injured hand to Miaka's cheek gently but has to stop.) 'I understand' he says and runs away from Miaka but then turns around and looks at Miaka, once more completely filled with love and hope.
Tamahome: Listen Miaka, until Suzaku is called, I'll protect you as a seishi. But when Suzaku appears, then I'll make you the HAPPIEST bride in the world. (with one last smile of encourgements he runs on his way)
Miaka smiles once more in hope. 'After calling Suzaku..for sure!', she thinks to herself and nods her head happily.

Tamahome: Miaka...I've had to live for my family...but I couldn't protect them. So I swore in front of my father's grave...that I'd devote my life to protecting you. (his sign glows as he makes this vow and his eyes are stern and filled with determination) I won't let you die. We'll get the Shinzaho...and all come back alive.
Miaka thinking: I'll do my part too....I'll call Suzaku for sure. For Tamahome and the people of this country...I'll do what's needed to protect them.

Miaka: He isn't aware of what he's doing. So it's ok. If "here" were my world, and Tamahome was an ordinary high school student....nothing would interfere with our love. (she lays on top of him and hugs him, both lay there cuddling)
Then Tamahome opens is eyes, and jumping up, super-deformed he cries out 'Echi!' (pervert).
Tamahome: Miaka! You made moves on me while I was sleeping. (he accuses)
Miaka: Me?! Who did what to whom? I brought you a meal and you grabbed me in your sleep!
Tamahome: Is that so? (turns aside and mutters) Wish I'd gone FURTHER. Aww shit!
Miaka: (slaps him upside the head real good) What's with the 'aww shit'?! (Then Miaka turns serious) But thank goodness...
Tamahome: For what?
Miaka: You're back to normal.
Tamaome: Nuriko may have said something...so everyone must be worried about me....But I'm doing fine....And I have you....if I didn't...I could never have pulled myself together. (

Tamahome: Don't go. Don't go ANYWHERE. (he walks upto her and gently hugs her, pulling her head into his chest) Stay with me.
Miaka, remembering that they are not allowed to touch for fear they may go further tells him to let go, but Tamahome refuses and only hugs her again tighter.
Tamahome: I'm always scared of that (of letting her go) I don't want to lose you! (his face twists in pain and agony at the thought)

Miaka raises her face up and looks into his eyes and thinks: If I stay, I have to cast my world away. But if I do, I won't have to separate from Tamahome. (Suddenly her mouth finally finds the words her heart wants to speak)
Miaka: (Aloud) I don't want to separate. I...(she embraces Tamahome fiercely) I'll stay! I'll stay her forever!

Miaka (THINKING now as the holds Tamahome): My family, my friends, my world....if I can be with Tamahome, I can bear throwing it all away.
Miaka: (Aloud) I want to live with you.

Tamahome hugs Miaka and tells her that Miaka does something everytime to shorten his life. Miaka gasps out Tamahome's name and asks him where his hands are. They are tighly squeezed around her breasts! She punches him. 'Shit! It was an accident!' Tamahome yells ;) hahaha :)

Tamahome: 'Sometimes i think she;s stronger than everyone of us.'

Tamahome removes her robe and reveals her nakedness and looks upon her. 'Beautiful. Pure. Like at the cleansing ceremony....nothing different. No one would be able to rape you. (he hugs her to him - not caring that she' naked) So don't cry anymore. I'll stay with you. Although we can't call Suzaku, forever and ever - we swore we'd be together and that I'd make you the happiest bride in the world. I swear to that. I have only you. You mean everything to me.
Miaka: Tamahome (she hugs him back and then pain shoots through her hurt hand and arm. Tamahome takes her hand in his.
Tamahome: I don't have Mitsukake's ability, but...(he then kisses her hand sweetly, gently, and tenderly)
Miaka: Tamahome...(they bend together and their lips meet.)

Tamahome: If you don't want to have your ass blown away, get away from Miaka and get out of here.

Tamahome breaks away and runs to the tower determines to tell Miaka her loves her. 'I'm sorry Miaka, wait for me. No matter how much we're going to get hurt, you and I....'he vows in his mind as he runs toher.

Tamahome: The couple who kisses at the top of that tower at sunset will never be parted right? This isn't the top of the tower, and the sun's alrady set, but if there's something, no matter how trivial that can change our destiny, I'll do it.

Miaka runs after him thinking, 'We may all die tomorrow. Both tamahome and I...' she runs and hugs him from behind placing her hand over his heart. 'It's alright', she says. 'Tonight we...tonight...make me your bride.' Tamahome grasps her small hand in his large one and kisses her.
Miaka thinks, 'we may die, but if that happens, it's ok....I've decided to live by your side so when we die, we die together.' They are now on the bed and are ready to make love when wonder of wonders, Miaka's stomach growls, LOUD! (hahaha :) I love Miaka but sheesh ;) ) Miaka yells 'Why is it growling at a time like this!!!??' (my sentiments exactly! ;) )
Tamahome laughs, and smiles whole heartedly. 'Man, you're so hopeless!', he jokes. 'Let's just rest for tomorrow. We'll do this later....one the dya of our wedding.' Miaka's stomach growls again. 'But before that, EAT SOMETHING!' ;)

Miaka: Tamahome, you didn't let go of me!
Tamahome: Didn't we promise that we would stay together? So I'll create any miracle!
Miaka: (embraces tamahome) It's true right? you're here aren;t you? It's like a dream!
Tamahome: I'm here with you.
Miaka: (thinking) Warm...the warmth of skin...the sound of heart beats...it's not a dream...and we're not inside the book either. Tamahome's here...he;s here!!

Miaka awakes the next morning and runs to tamahome's room. He is sound asleep. She thinks: 'Tamahome....you really came out of the book world into my world. You created a miracle, just for me.'

Tamahome: Miaka, I'm sorry. I don't know anything, but you, you knew everything and you still loved me, a man inside a book. I finally understand that a guadian exists to protect the maiden. The true meaning of why I was born...when you arrived in our world, that was when we realy started to come alive. I understand now that I live for you. My life, the world that means everything to me, the universe, everything and I, all belong to you. There's no need for you to be afraid of anything because I'll continue to love you.

Tamahome: (holding her shoulders) When i didn't know any better, I could easily say selfish things, but now I understand what tatara said, and I thought about it. If it was our destiny to meet, there may be a 'me; in this world that's not the me standing here...not a fictitious character, but a real me . . .yeah right, what am I saying? (he cherrily grins)

Miaka: Why?! why are you saying such things? If you're not around, I won't ever be happy. You said 'you're the only one I love' (she embraces him, crying into his chest) You said we'd always be together that we;d live together! You're not a fictictious person! To me, you're someone irreplaceable! Please don't say we need to part! I'll do whatever you say, I'll even learn to cook better

Tamahome: Miaka! (his eyes water and he grabs her in a fierce hug) Let's hold our wedding by ourselves. tell me how it's done in this world. Miaka: yesterday I bought these rings from a shop. We place these on eachother's left hands and say our vows.

They place the rings on eachother's hands and hold there hands together.
Tamahome: we're now husband and wife. Many things have happened but nothing will get in our way. we've now become one. I love you.
Miaka: I love you. Always, only you.

Tamahome: (he says under his breath) Miaka, I'm glad I could say I love you at least one more time. We may not be able to see eachother again, but please forgive me. I'll at least protect your future with my life!!

Nuriko: You're supposed to be dead!
Tamahome: He said it wasn;t time yet.

Miaka: Tamahome don't let go of me...get a very good grip on me...
Tamahome: Alright. I won;t let go of you, no matter what.
They are caught up in a whirlwind their clothes fkying off leaving them naked as celestial events take place
Miaka: tighter, tighter...tamahome!!!
He starts to disappear...Miaka shakes her head...No...No....she reaches out for Tamahome as he disappears..Nooo...he;s gone...

Miaka is now sitting on the ground, tears streaming from her eyes, and the Four Gods: Sky and Earth is folded before her. She picsk it up, sobbing, and Keisuke, and Tetsuya appear, and she turns to Keisuke telling him that he was wring, that this was book was the most beautiful book she had ever read.

Dear Miaka,
By the time you have read this, we'll probably be separated. But even if we are separated separated somehow, I believe that someday we'll meet - no - that I'll FIND you someday...I promise. Even if my appearance changes, even if thousands and tens of thousands of years pass, no matter what world that may be, I'll come to see you....I'll conquer them all. Then I'll say this again in front of you.....WO AI NI (I love you)

TETSUYA: 'This spring a new transfer student arrived in my class...and he's a litttle different....he says that he has all of his memories from a previous life since childhood. In that life he had a 'star' and a mission where he was to protect a certain young lady. he was one of 7 people and before he was reborn, he made that girl a promise.....even if his appearance changes, even if thousands of ten thousands of years passed, that he'd search for you...no matter what....'

"Finally, I've found you." - Tamahome reincarnated as Taka Sukunami