Following a brief reunion, Tamahome decides to ride off and make a quick trip home- giving Miaka the perfect opportunity to sneak after him and find out more about man she loves- including just why he is so interested in making money! But there is danger in store for Miaka as hostile forces in the neighbouring land of Kutou send assassins after her- and it falls to a mysterious new protector to keep her safe…

Miaka and the others have found Chichiri, the fourth seishi, but when he relays news that Kutou is searching for the Priestess of Seiryu, Miaka begins to suspect that the girl they are looking for is none other than Yui! Determined to find her friend without involving anyone else, Miaka slips away from Tamahome’s watchful gaze, and begins making her way to the land of Kutou…

Hotohori, unable to kill Miaka, goes with Tasuki and Miaka to request Myojuan's help to save Miaka. In Kutou, however, having heard of Miaka's illness, Tamahome tries to escape only be caught and severly punished. Meanwhile, once Hotohori, Nuriko, and Tasuki arrive at Myojuan's house, Myojuan reveals Shoka's terrible secret.

After Hotohori stabs Tamahome, Miaka runs to him. He tries to grab the sword to kill Suzaku No Miko. Miaka takes the sword and puts it in his hands.

After being attacked by lightning, Tamahome and the other two stayed in an abandoned cave and wait for Chichiri to track them down. Tamahome is still unconscious so Nuriko finds the chance to flirt with Miaka jokingly, by trying to kiss her. When awakened, Tamahome explains he has no chance to protect his loved ones, so he promised himself that he will always protect Miaka. Nuriko himself explains he also has a loved one too that he's unable to protect, which is his sister Korin. At the day she died, Nuriko began dressing like a girl in order to keep Korin with him. Just then lightning struck the cave where they were and Miaka and Tamahome began floating in the sea, and Nuriko manages to carry them off because the bracelets Taiitsukun gave him began transforming into armbands. At last, Chichiri and the others found them. While inside the ship, Soi began challenging Miaka and electrifying the others so they won't be able to save her. Miaka uses Hotohori's holy sword in order to protect herself from Soi, and she manages to defeat her. The storm Soi cast is slowly disappearing, and they finally found Hokkan, the land of Genbu, where the Shinzaho is located.

Nuriko has finally realized he loves the lady Miaka. Fearing for Miaka and Tamahome's relationship, he went to the top of Mount Koku by himself in search of the Shinzaho. Standing before the door guarding the Shinzaho Nuriko is confronted by Ashi-tare, who is a member of the Seiryu seven, and their battle for the Shinzaho begins.

Ashitare stealing the Shinzaho makes Miaka do anything to get it back, even sleeping with the enemy. Miaka is lured to Nakago and finds that it is a trap set by him. Tamahome is on his way to save Miaka once again.

Soi reveals to Miaka that Nakago failed to rape her and that Tomo is fighting Tamahome and has him trapped. Amiboshi helps destroys Tomo’s illusion creating shell with his flute. Miaka arrives and Tamahome defeats Tomo. Miaka excitedly tells Tamahome that she is unspoiled. Amiboshi is trapped and Tamahome is stabbed and dragged off a cliff by Tomo (They only defeated an illusion of him). Tomo traps Miaka with an illusion created from her life force. He explains to Amiboshi that because of the manner in which the illusion was created Miaka is trapped inside the illusion physically, as opposed to just mentally. Tomo puts himself into the illusion as Aono, with the intention of taking Maika’s virginity. He uses the illusion to convince Miaka that she has a crush on him. Miaka sees Tamahome’s name in a book she is studying and becomes confused. Aono stops by and gives her his older brothers lucky exam pencil, putting an end to her confusion. Miaka agrees to go out with him. Aono asks if he can call her “Miaka” and asks her to call him “Tomo.” Back in the real world, Keisuke calls their mother and explains to her that they did not return home because Miaka is studying with him and Tetsuya.

Keisuke and Tetsuya finally arrive in Morioka. Miaka asks Tamahome to meet her in the tower that Xing told her the legend about. Tokaki reminds Tamahome that he and Miaka will be split up when Suzaku is summoned. While waiting at the tower, Miaka sees Yui and Nakago. After checking the police station and library, a taxi driver introduces Keisuke and Tetsuya to a friend with old newspapers on microfilm. They find the article regarding the Okuda murder and where it took place. Tamahome goes to the tower and finds Miaka’s hair tie. The rest of the Suzaku Seven join him, and Tasuki fries a monster about to eat him. Tokaki and his wife, Subaru, tell them that Tatara, the guardian of the Shinzaho of Byakko has been taken. Nakago finds Miaka sneaking into where he and Yui are staying. Miboshi, one of the Seiryu Seven, steals Miaka’s voice and Nakago knocks her unconscious. The Suzaku Seven follow Miaka. Keisuke and Testuya arrive at the location where the Okuda murder took place and find it is called Genbu Grotto. Miaka wakes up in a cell with Tatara and Yui enters.

Tamahome and Suboshi are drawn into battle and in the book, Hotohori and Nakago are in battle as well. This is a battle to the death.

Yui has been devoured by Seiryuu and it seems that Nakago's wish was granted to become a Deity. Miaka begins the summoning chant to Suzaku. Yui's final wish was to allow Miaka to be able to summon Suzaku! Miaka merges with Suzakuseikun for her wishes to finally be granted...