Missing Love

In the real world Yui continues to read the adventures of her friend Miaka. She reads out loud that Miaka's leg is being cared for by Tamahome, but Miaka's thoughts give her no peace. We go to Tamahome who is finishing up on Miaka's leg. Miaka is thinking about how upset Nuriko will be. She asks Tamahome if Nuriko will be mad if she found them like this, because Nuriko and him seem to love each other.  Tamahome says he doesn't love her, because she just meant Nuriko, and that she isn't his type at all. He then gets up and says he knows why Miaka is asking these questions. It's because Miaka likes him. Tamahome leans against the railing and says he can understand why she likes him. He says he knows he's charming, and handsome, and etc.. He tells her he's not looking for love and  he's a heart breaker, because he's only looking for money. Tamahome then laughs like a maniac for rest of the scene. Miaka yells at him saying it isn't true and that she was just wondering about Nuriko. We zoom out and see that Nuriko was spying on them from behind a tree. Later that night, Miaka goes to see Nuriko. Nuriko tells her that she has lost an heirloom near the west side pavilion. It was given to her the day she left to join the Harem and is very important to her. It's an earring that glows, so the night time is best to look for it. Unfortunately all of the girls are afraid of the dark. Miaka offers to go and find it for her. Nuriko tells Miaka that to repay her for this she will swear her service to her as a Suzaku warrior. Hotohori (who is not really listening) is in a pavilion where his advisors are talking to him. They tell him he needs to find an empress. They ask him why he has ignored the ladies in the harem completely. With a smirk the emperor answers 'because I am prettier than them'. The advisors freak, and Hotohori has to say he was just kidding so all the advisors force laughter. On a more serious note Hotohori says he is more concerned with the state of the empire than finding a wife. One of the advisors then suggest Nuriko and he replies that he doesn't go in for that (if only he knew how true that was!) and that she is a Suzaku warrior and thereby released from the harem. As he starts to walk along a path he tells them that he has been dreaming of an ideal woman since he was a child. At that moment Miaka pops up from behind a bush and scares all the advisors who fall over. Hotohori however just leans over to her and smiles, he didn't even blink when she popped up. He asks what she is doing out here, and finds out she is running an errand for Nuriko. He tells Miaka he knows they haven't been getting along because he has people reporting to him. He says he can order Nuriko to be nice. At that Miaka shakes her finger and says you can't order people to change the way they feel. She runs off, and the emperor is left speechless at what she said. As Miaka continues her search for the earring of Nuriko's she doesn't see where she is going and falls into one of the marshes/ponds around the palace. . As Miaka gets soaked with water, Yui who is still reading the book also becomes dripping wet, and she reads how Miaka is caught at the bottom of the pond and is tangled up in seaweed. Miaka's arms and legs are tangled in the seaweed, and is starting to get scared because she can't free herself. She then yells out Tamahome. Back in Tamahome's room, he wakes with a start from his sleep, calling out Miaka's name. We hear Nuriko laughing with her lady attendants, and she is saying how Miaka is a puppy that follows orders and is searching the west pavilion for nothing Since harem ladies aren't even allowed there. She says how Miaka is probably out there soaked and freezing, one of the ladies tells how Miaka needs to learn Harem rules if she wants to survive. Tama opens the door and asks if what he has heard is true. He goes to leave to search for Miaka, but Nuriko grabs hold of his arm. Tamahome yells at her to let go and calls her a dominatrix. Nuriko replies with No I will never let you go to her. He asks if she is blind, because all Miaka wants is to be friends with her. Nuriko tells Tamahome that Miaka keeps both him and the emperor to herself and that She has been in the Harem over a year and Hotohori has paid her no attention. All of a sudden Miaka shows up and men go nuts, and Miaka isn't even a woman yet. and Nuriko just doesn't understand it. Miaka then enters looking a bit wet, and asks if Nuriko is in love with the emperor. Tamahome tells Miaka he is glad she is safe, but Miaka just walks straight to Nuriko who tells her that everyone indulges you because you are from another world, and Miaka agrees in a way and that upsets Nuriko, so she slaps Miaka. She just slaps Nuriko back telling her to stop that. Tamahome is watching this looking very shocked. Miaka pulls out a pretty stone and says how she knew about the earring but thought this would be nice. She also adds that since she is friends with the emperor that she may be able to put in a word or two for her. Nuriko accepts the stone and starts to sniffle. Tamahome who is being ignored, and was just being used asks if he is chopped spring roll or something. Later, after Miaka has changed into a robe (her uniform is wet) she is visiting Hotohori in his chambers. She is rambling on about how nice it is to know someone loves you and Hotohori asks if there is anyone special in Miaka's life. She thinks of Tamahome and nervously says they aren't talking about her. Hotohori goes on to explain how he has been waiting for only one woman all of his life. **Intermission** Yui is in the library wringing out her clothes and all of a sudden it's bone dry. She looks at the book and reads how the emperor reveals his feelings. As a child Hotohori was told about the priestess and that he's been dreaming about her and she is the only one he wants. He wants to know everything about Miaka and leans over Miaka to kiss her. We hear the beating of her heart, and she thinks of Tamahome right before she is about to be kissed. However Hotohori stops, and pulls out his sword, leaving Miaka on the bed. He goes over to the wall and makes a new door by slicing it up with his sword. On the other side he finds both Tamahome and Nuriko eavesdropping. Miaka's eyes go buggy. Tamahome and Nuriko start humming and dancing and the emperor says to give it up and answer him Tamahome tells him they have come to pick up Miaka. Hotohori replies that he should've been more considerate and thought it through, even if he had given him permission to enter his chambers. Miaka sits up and asks to leave. Hotohori answers that he has meant every word and that after the mission he wants her for his wife. But it is not an order because he knows you can't order someone to fall in love, so he'll just have to make her love him. He leaves and says Miaka can sleep in his room. Miaka is blushing and can't believe an emperor has just proposed to her. The Next Morning Miaka has red eyes and looks dead tired because she didn't sleep a wink. She dresses and wonders if what she looks like is popular here and can't believe such a cute guy likes her. She walks outside and is thinking about Tamahome who must've heard everything. At that moment Tamahome walks by her and just says 'hey, it's you.' Miaka yells to where are you going and Tama answers that he has to get back to work because he has been slacking and turns down Miaka's offer to come with him. He tells her that she has friends to make and four other celestial warriors to find. Tamahome then walks off. Miaka is then surrounded by intense heat and a very angry Nuriko appears behind her. Miaka is very scared and freaked out at this moment. Nuriko yells at her 'Your just friends? you spent a night in his chambers! I'll never forgive you' She then runs and clings to Tamahome at the walks away to the city. Miaka is sad, because she was almost friends with Nuriko and is upset because Tamahome is acting strange and acts as though he doesn't care about last night at all. Miaka is sad because she was so close to being friends with Nuriko and now she's blown it. She is also upset because Tamahome is acting like nothing has happened.  In the next scene Miaka is following Tamahome and Nuriko through the crowded city. She has a white sheet wrapped around her. She is determined to be friends with Nuriko and find out what's wrong with Tamahome. Nuriko easily spots Miaka and tells Tamahome Miaka is following them and that she must be a fool if she thinks she is disguised with that sheet. Tamahome tells Nuriko let her think she is. "Indifference now eh?" Nuriko replies. When Tamahome reaches the center of the square he runs up the stairs and gets the attention of the crowd. Apparently he has some stuff of Miaka, the Priestess of Suzaku, he's going to sell.  Miaka wanders what he could possible have of hers. She is surprised when he pulls out several sticks of gum and thinks that she was nothing to him but a business venture. He's selling the gum for one silver ryo and some people complain that it's too expensive, and someone wonders how he got the stuff because the priestess is the emperor's favourite and is always with him. Nuriko turns up beside  the guy and threatens him and others who accuse Tamahome of fraud. Miaka speaks up and throws away the sheet, people are like "it's her" and Tamahome rushes by her sides putting on sunglasses and tells people they have to go through him to shake hands or receive and autograph. Miaka replies "heeey since when are you my agent?" Soon people start pushing them and rushing them so they crawl away through their feet and run.  In a building Tamahome asks why she spoke up and she asks what Tamahome thinks of her. They are interrupted by some thugs who want payment for working in their area of town. Tamahome tells them he has no money so they guys decided to take Miaka instead. The boss shows up and tells him this is his turf and not to fight with him. He finds out that Miaka is priestess and the boss offers Tamahome 30 gold Ryo for her.  Nuriko is spying on them from the shadows she says they look like they're in trouble, and she'd like to help but she doesn't think so.  Back with the others...Tamahome is insulted by the offer of 30 Gold Ryo."30 Gold Ryo for her, Don't mess with me....40 Gold Ryo" Everybody falls over. Recovered the boss and Tamahome start haggling over the price.   .Miaka gets so upset by this that she punches the guy who was holding her. Tamahome takes the cue and starts kicking people. It starts raining and the Ogre symbol glows on his forehead. He goes around and kicks butt.  After the fight he tells Miaka " Some possessions must never be sol for all the fortune in the world." Nuriko still watching from the shadows is amazed they survived and sneezes into her sleeve from the rain and cold.  Tamahome goes to help Miaka up and she goes hysterical telling him how he can't do business here anymore, your bleeding, and that you could have died.  Tamahome tells her it doesn't matter and Miaka replies that it does to her. "Because I love you" She is completely shocked at what she just said. Tamahome is a bit taken back, but calmly replies that he's sorry and that he only protects her because she is the Priestess of Suzaku. He tells her they should hurry and get back because the emperor will be worried Miaka then collapses to the wet and muddy ground. Tamahome quickly runs back to the unconscious Miaka.