episode 25-28

Episode 25- Loved, But Sad

Taiitsu-kun gives each of the seishi (minus Tamahome) a gift, a powerful item that will increase their particular ability: to Hotohori, a powerful Deity's sword; to Nuriko, iron bracelets; to Chichiri, a beaded necklace; to Tasuki, a diamond tassen; to Mitsukake, a jar of healing powder; and to Chiriko, a scroll. Taiitsu-kun also talks to Miaka alone. Miaka goes to Tamahome's room and thinks about what Taiisukun said to her. They talk and Tamahome proposes to her. But, thinking about what she has to do, she fakes that she doesn't care about him and leaves. She had to break up with him for a yet unknown reason. Next day, Miaka, Nuriko, and Tasuki decide to go to the Star Watching Festival that night. They see a depressed Tamahome, and Miaka tries to talk with him but he just doesn't understand. After a nice chat, Miaka learns about Chichiri's history as to why he always wear a mask.


Episode 26- Night of the Star-Watching Festival

Miaka goes off by herself on to a bridge to throw some flowers into the water for Amiboshi, and Tamahome comes asking for a talk with her. Tamahome figures that Taiitsu-kun must have put her up breaking up with him, so she tells him the whole story. Taiitsu-kun says that she can't love Tamahome until Suzaku is called, the Miko must be a virgin and cannot cross the line between seishi and Miko. Angry, Tamahome starts to run away, but his mood changes to a sort of happiness and says that when it's all over he will make her the happiest bride. In Kutou, the Emperor gave Nakago premission to go get the Shinzaho. Nakago walks out and finds Suboshi trying to escape. He wants revenge for his brother's death. Next morning, Miaka and the gang gets ready for the journey. Nuriko, Miaka and Tamahome set off for Tamahome's village to pick up his family so that they can stay at Hotohori's palace where it is safer. They get to Tamahome's house, open the door, and see a horrible site.


Episode 27- A Vow Before The Grave

Suboshi, presumably out of revenge for his brother's death (which he believes is the fault of the Suzaku seishi), has viciously killed Tamahome's entire family. Tamahome's increased power then becomes apparant; he becomes the "revenging ogre," almost uncontrollable and unstoppable in his rage. Nuriko tries to restrain him, but he still would have killed Suboshi, were it not for a Seiryuu seishi making her grand appearance, Soi. Soi rescues Suboshi from Tamahome and takes off. Miaka is spurred on by the act of violence against innocent and helpless victims and she makes a decision to go head to head with Yui for the shinzaho, if that's what it will take. Yui, not knowing the full story, hears that Miaka has made this decision, and returns the vow in kind.