After helping Genro regain the leadership of the bandits, Miaka asks him if he knows anyone named Tasuki (the next member of the Suzaku Seven that the mirror indicated). He says that he knows who he is, however it just happens to be the old leader of the bandits who died. Miaka, Hotohori and Nuriko feel their quest to be doomed, until someone mentions that to the north, there is a rumour that someone can bring the dead back to life. The three leave Genro and go in search of this mysterious person, however when they arrive in the town, all is not what it seems as an incurable disease is plaguing the town, and when Miaka becomes ill, the Suzaku members don’t know what’s the right thing to do.

Four of five days later, the Suzaku Seven begin to become discouraged as the search for Chiriko, the last of the Suzaku Seven, rages on. They reach Tamahome's hometown, and there Mitsukake performs his healing magic and heals Tamahome's father. However, later that night, Kotou agents attack Miaka and the Suzaku Seven. In the distance, the sound of a flute appears. Who is this young boy?

Devastated by Tamahome's being controlled by Nakago, Miaka becomes mentally ill while Hotohori still attempts to cheer her up. But Miaka decides that when there is a problem as horrible as this, there is only one solution...

Taiitsukun tells Miaka and the Suzaku Seven that she must travel to the land of Genbu and Byakko to recover the Shinzaho. Taiitsukun have increased the powers for the Suzaku Seven. Tamahome has asked Miaka to be his wife when their mission is over, but Miaka says that’s not going to happen. Miaka continues to somewhat ignore Tamahome, while Chichiri tells Miaka about how his best friend betrayed him. Miaka wonders what Chichiri told her, will happen to her and Yui.

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.

Miaka and the Suzaku Seven all grieving for Nuriko's death continues on their journey for the Shinzaho. They enter to the cavern of Genbu, where they encounter Tomite and Hikitsu, two warriors of the Genbu Seven. They are both the protectors of the Shinzaho and will not give it to anybody. Miaka, the Priestess of Suzaku, is put to a test to see if she really is the Priestess. Tomite and Hikitsu kills Miaka by freezing her. She is saved by her powers of Suzaku. Tomite and Hikitsu apologize to the Priestess and gives her the Shinzaho. Tomite tells them that it is not enough to summon Suzaku and they must get the Shinzaho from the west, Byakko. On their way out, Miaka thinks about the devotion of the Genbu Seven for their Priestess even after they had passed on. She is happy knowing that Nuriko will watch over her as well.

Miaka reads about the constellations of the four gods again and is again confused, but Aono Tomo distracts her by asking her to come to his house to study later. Tamahome’s master find him and releases him from the illusion he was under when he was thrown from the cliff. As Miaka and Tomo pass the library, Miaka feels like something important happened there and tries to figure it out, but Tomo distracts her with a promise of cake. Miaka discovers the cake was a lie and is distracted again by the library, which she can see from Tomo’s window. He distracts her by kissing her. When she is about to give herself to him, she is confused by something she cannot remember. She remembers going into the library with Yui and going into an old book. Tomo tells her that is was just a dream but she continues to remember what happened and breaks the illusion (but is still trapped in it). Tomo has to use all of his life force to keep Miaka trapped and Amiboshi uses this opportunity to break free. He gives his strength to Miaka using his flute. She stabs Tomo in the mark on his forehead using the lucky pencil he gave her. Shin (the shell Tomo used to create illusions and trap Miaka) breaks and Miaka reappears. Amiboshi protects Miaka from Shin, but is defeated. When Tomo is about to kill him Suboshi arrives and kills Tomo. Amiboshi offers Suboshi forgetfulness leaves so that they may live in peace together. Suboshi pretends to accept them, says he loves Yui, and forces the leaves back on Amiboshi. Suboshi attacks Miaka in the same manner in which he thinks Yui was.

The dead Miboshi has possessed Chiriko, Miaka is captured and trapped by Miboshi and no one can save them. Subaru, the Byakko warrior uses her power on Tokaki and herself to be in the body they were 90 years ago. They saved Miaka but a tragic fate ends with Chiriko.

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...