episode 9-12

Episode 9- Invisible Enemies

Before long, the miko and shichiseishi are attacked by devious assassins, and shortly after, similar assassins threaten Tamahome's family as well as the shichiseishi. Each time, they are helped and rescued by a mysterious magician who warns them that the assassins are from the southern country of Kutou, and that Miaka, as Suzaku no Miko, is the target. Curious as to just why Tamahome is so fixated on acquiring money, Miaka and Nuriko follow Tamahome while he's out early one morning, and find out that he has this kawaii little family in a nearby village that he's supporting. They learn that his mother died when he was twelve, and his father is sickly, so Tamahome does whatever jobs he can in order to raise the money to make ends meet. After a second assassin is killed, however, they learn that Kutou country is looking for its own miko, the Seiryuu no Miko. The magician who saved Miaka and all of the seishi's lives turns out to be the 4th shichiseishi, the wandering monk Chichiri. Chichiri warns Miaka to be careful and to take note that her actions may endanger others in ways she does not expect.


Episode 10- Captured Girl

At this time, it occurs to Miaka that Yui might have been recruited to be Kutou's Seiryuu no Miko, and that they would be in warring camps if this happened. Therefore, after hearing Chichiri's warning, Miaka attempts travels solo to Kutou country in an attempt to prevent danger from reaching the others and to locate Yui. However, Tamahome follows her and Chichiri tracks them both. Miaka arrives at Kutou's palace and tells the guards that she is Seiryuu no Miko so that she may gain access indoors. Chichiri, hiding behind a wall, uses his magic to freeze them and Miaka passes. When Tamahome tries to barge his way in he encounters the Shogun of Kutou's army, Nakago. Not wanting to involve Tamahome, Miaka willingly goes with the shogun to the palace. Miaka and Yui are finally reunited within the palace walls and as they embrace Miaka drops Suzaku's Universe of Four Gods in process. The Shogun picks it up and glares at
Miaka.


Episode 11- Seiryuu No Miko

Yui reassures Miaka that although she was asked, she did not take up the position of Seiryuu no Miko. Tamahome locates the girls, and then Yui leaves Miaka to go and retrieve the scroll of the Universe of the Four Gods that Miaka brought with her (because it was confiscated by Nakago). While they wait for Yui to return, Tamahome finally admits his love for Miaka and they kiss. At this point Yui returns but she overhears Miaka tell Tamahome that she only returned to this world to see him. Now, unbeknownst to Miaka, Yui has had a hard time of it these past three months, and, just as Tamahome had saved Miaka, Nakago essentially saved Yui's life. For all three months, day after day, he's been telling Yui that Miaka didn't care about her and wouldn't come to help her. verhearing this part of Miaka and Tamahome's conversation does not help Yui's confidence in her best friend. It also doesn't help that Yui harbors a crush on Tamahome.... It is with this past in mind that at this point, Yui decides (upon Nakago's encouragement) to take up the position of Seiryuu no Miko, knowing that it will place her directly opposed to Miaka. Yui lures Miaka to the Seiryuu mosoleum in order to solemnise her decision and reveal her feelings to Miaka. There she is met by Nakago, who becomes her first shichiseishi. When Chichiri and Tamahome try to enter the mosoleum, they realize that it is warded to exclude Suzaku seishi. Infuriated at the possible danger that Miaka is in, Tamahome charges the doors and, remarkably, succeeds in breaking into the mosoleum. Chaos ensues as Nakago attempts to destroy all of his opponents with his chi. All three visitors from Konan are injured as they try to persuade Yui to leave with them. However, Yui's mind is made up.


Episode 12- I Only Have You

Defeated and weary, Chichiri transports himself, Miaka, and Tamahome to Mt. Taikyoko to be healed by Taiitsu-kun. There Taiitsu-kun reveals to the three what has happened to Yui in Miaka's absence: Yui was attacked and raped by thugs upon arriving in Kutou country before being rescued by Nakago. Emotionally traumatized, she attempted to kill herself by slitting her wrist. She clung to the hope that Miaka would return for her for three months. Now she sees Miaka as her betrayer and will get revenge at any cost. After being cold towards Tamahome, she told him that she has to forget about her feelings towards him because Yui loves him and they have to focus on their goal. But he doesn't care and pushes her onto the bed. Suddenly, Hotohori storms in, takes out his sword, and holds it up to Tama's throat. Tama tells Hotohori that he loves Miaka. Hotohori left the room after telling Miaka the he is the one who truly loves her.