The Priestess of Suzaku, Lady Miaka, returned to this world…
…and searched for her best friend, the Lady Yui…
…but she was nowhere to be found.
She then wondered if Yui had been transported to the other world.
Thinking this, the Lady Miaka returned to the other world once more…
…to search for the Lady Yui.
However, awaiting her there was news of the threat of invasion…
…by the neighboring nation of Kutou.
To help find the rest of the Suzaku Seven quickly…
…the Lady Miaka was en route to rejoin Tamahome…
…who had left the palace.
But, just then…
Tamahome!
…the Lady Miaka was grabbed by a pair of mysterious hands.
Miaka!
Not here…
That hurts, you know?!
Who… Who is this guy?
I don’t mind that you bit me, Priestess of Suzaku…
…but there are guys from Kutou who are after you.
Well, then, farewell!
Hey!
Who was that guy…?
Miaka!
Tamahome!
Are you okay?!
Yeah. I’m fine…
I’m fine, but…
Who could be after me?
Don’t look! Nuriko, what happened?!
Just what it looks like. We were ambushed with arrows.
It happened right after you ran after Miaka.
They were aimed for where Miaka was standing.
That guy saved me because I was the target…
“That guy?”
Those people died in my place…!
I see shock has no effect on your appetite.
Anyway, that guy with the fox face said…
…that some guys from Kutou were after the Priestess of Suzaku!
Well, the Priestess of Suzaku protects this country…
…so she’d be an obstacle to conquering it.
Don’t look so sad, Miaka. I’m here, now.
I’ll protect you, so don’t worry.
Tamahome…
Tamahome, come quickly!
There’re strange people at the west gate!
What?! Is that money I hear?!
Oh, my. That’s terrible.
Nuriko, take care of Miaka. See you!
What’s that all about?! Is money more important to him than me?!
Miaka, before we look for the others in the Suzaku Seven…
…shouldn’t we cure Tamahome of his obsession with money?
Oh, no, Tamahome doesn’t ask for much in return.
Besides…
30 men equals 30 mon! Lucky me!
Is that really all you want?
You beat all those guys for what’ll only buy you 10 steamed buns.
Yeah, he’s a good guy.
What are you talking about?!
A really good guy would protect your village for free!
Well, he practically IS doing it for free!
What I’m saying is…!
Please, I don’t want to get into a fight about this…
Now that I think about it…
…I don’t know why Tamahome wants money so badly.
I wonder why Tamahome wants to make money so badly.
Whoa, whoa…
Tamahome…
Where’s he going so early in the morning?
I’ll follow him and see!
Nuriko! Nuriko, wake up! Wake up! Ooh…!
Of course!
Well, if it isn’t Tamahome! Home for a visit?
Yeah. Haven’t seen you in a while, sir.
Looks like this is the village where he grew up.
Here?
This is where Tamahome was born and raised?
Oh, I feel so happy for some reason!
What are you doing? Miaka!
Big Brother! Big Brother!
Chuei, Shunkei, Yuiren, Gyokuran!
Was everyone good while I was away?
Yes!
I’ve never seen Tamahome look like that before.
Dad, I’m back!
There’s a side to Tamahome I don’t know.
Tamahome.
So, how do you feel?
Look! I got a lot this time!
Thank you. I’m doing okay.
Chuei’s been handling the farm for me.
I’m proud of you, Chuei.
Aw, I’m no good. We can’t raise anything.
I see… Then it’s a good thing I left to find work.
Tamahome.
I’m happy that you care so much about us…
…but why don’t you start thinking about your own happiness?
Maybe getting a bride…?
Dad, never mind about me.
Anyway, I have to get going.
Chuei, take care of everyone while I’m away.
Big Brother, do you have to go so soon?
Don’t go!
Tell you what, Yuiren. I’ll buy you a doll next time.
I want you more!
Yuiren, I’ll do anything to make you all happy.
I’ll grit my teeth and work any job!
So, please… Won’t you all hang on a little longer? Please…
If you’re thankful, you should give me some money!
One piece for one silver tael!
It was… It was all for his family!
Tama’s so valiant!
Yuiren!
Yuiren, what’s wrong?!
What’s wrong?!
She’s running a terrible fever. It might be a cold.
Where’s the bed?! And get something cool for her forehead!
R-Right!
We need to make her sweat more! Put another futon on top!
Right!
Come on! We need to give her some medicine. Water! Water!
Right!
I wonder if the medicine’s working.
You…
You followed me, didn’t you?
I’m still here.
Of course you’re still here, you idiot!
Is this lady your wife, Big Brother?
D-Don’t be silly!
R-Right! I’m still in middle school!
They may say that…
…but they’ve gone pretty far already.
ALL the way, Dad.
Don’t crack jokes with a straight face!
For crying out loud…
Tamahome… He’s blushing…
Big Brother…
Tamahome, stay with her. I’ll get some water.
Miaka!
Thanks.
That’s the Priestess of Suzaku, huh?
Wandering off all alone…
This is almost like I really am Tamahome’s wife.
Yeah, what am I saying?
How can I be his wife when I’m not even his girlfriend?
He’s just a character in a book.
Suzaku’s “Universe of the Four Gods” I borrowed from Hotohori.
The book of prophecy he got from Taiitsukun.
There are hints written in it to find each of the Suzaku Seven.
I see…
This is no time to get sentimental.
I have to gather the last four of the Suzaku Seven and find Yui, fast!
That reads as…a monk?
And the other one means “mask,” right?
You are the Priestess of Suzaku, aren’t you?
“On the shores of the river…”
“…a man called out to the Priestess of Suzaku.”
“He was an assassin…” An assassin?!
Miaka!
Tamahome?
Tamahome, wait!
Wh-What’s the big idea…?
Tamahome!
No, please…!
They didn’t even touch him!
You… You’re the fox guy from before!
You’re the one who told Miaka people were after her?
Who are you? Never mind that. Are you human?
That’s rude, you know? I’m just a wandering traveller.
After I warned her, you should have felt the presence…
…of the enemy in the village, you know…
…Tamahome?
Uh, anyway, thanks for getting rid of those guys.
It’s too soon to thank me.
The truth is, I have another piece of advice for you.
Priestess of Suzaku…
From now on, you must take responsibility for your actions.
Responsibility?
If you don’t, people will suffer on your account.
Big Brother!
Damn! Those guys from before?!
See? I told you, you know?
Suffer? No… Because of me?
Because of me, Tamahome’s family will be…?!
Wait!
Big Brother!
Big Brother! Big Brother!
Miaka! Tamahome! Stay back!
Damn you!
Tamahome!
Well, Priestess of Suzaku?
If you want to save them, you must let me kill you without resistance!
Now, come to me!
These little kids… And a sick man…
Miaka, don’t!
You! Mr. Fox!
We’re free!
Damn you!
Gotcha!
Look, on his knee! He’s one of the Suzaku Seven!
Big Brother! Big Brother!
Oh, no, you don’t!
Now, maybe you can tell us a few things.
For starters, how many people from Kutou…
…have come to Konan after Miaka? Talk!
Look out!
You managed to sense the enemy’s presence, Tamahome!
I have to give you credit, you know?
Aw, you don’t have to.
So, why didn’t you guys protect me?!
We’ll see how this ends…
If we can find the Priestess of Seiryu, then this country won’t…
The Priestess of Seiryu?! What do you mean?! Answer me!
Oh! So you’re one of the Suzaku Seven, too.
My name’s Chichiri. And I’m not a fox, you know?
Excuse me, but the skin on your face is peeling off.
Are you okay?
Oh, I’m fine!
I always keep a spare, you know?
You found the fourth one, didn’t you? Good Job, Miaka!
Although this guy’s sorta weird.
Better weird than gay, you know?
I’m happy about this, but…
Big Brother…!
It’s all right. Chichiri says he doesn’t sense…
…any more enemies in the village.
Umm…
I’m sorry. It’s all my fault that you…
Not at all. We’re honored that…
…the Priestess of Suzaku would visit such a poor home as ours.
But…
He said not to worry. You didn’t do anything wrong.
So, there’s a legend about the Seven Stars in Kutou as well?
I heard it while I was travelling, you know?
Since they heard that the Priestess of Suzaku had appeared in Konan…
…Kutou’s been looking for the Priestess of Seiryu.
In other words, just like Miaka’s trying to get…
…the power of Suzaku to make all her wishes come true…
…if the Priestess of Seiryu gains the power of Seiryu…?
When you think about it, it makes sense.
That old witch — I mean Taiitsukun, gave copies of…
…“The Universe of the Four Gods” to all four kingdoms.
But if they’re looking for one…
…they’d have a hard time finding a girl from another world like me—
Yui!
If Yui was found in Kutou…
…and they made her the Priestess of Seiryu like I was…!
Then we’d both become enemies!
Hey, Miaka, what’s wrong? You’re white as a ghost.
Oh, it… It’s nothing!
I just remembered something! I have to go somewhere.
Miaka!
People will suffer on your account.
I have to go to Kutou!
I have to find Yui!
I don’t want to endanger any more people!
I don’t want anyone else to die because of me!
That’s why… I have to go by myself!.
“The Priestess of Suzaku headed for the land of Kutou…”
“…unprotected by any of the Suzaku Seven…”
So as to no longer trouble Tamahome and the others…
…the Lady Miaka heads for the enemy nation of Kutou on her own.
While overjoyed to be reunited with the Lady Yui there…
…heaven has already decreed heavy crosses for them both to bear.
Next time, “Looking for Yui”.
For the sake of an irreplaceable friend…