Eagerly awaited by the Lady Miaka, Tamahome’s personality…
…had already been changed by Nakago’s dose of Kodoku.
Tamahome, who has seemingly forgotten everything…
…engaged Tasuki in a fierce battle.
Using Chichiri’s magical powers, the Lady Miaka was able…
…to break free of the barrier and returned to Konan.
Goodbye…
Tamahome…
However, deep inside Tamahome’s heart remained memories…
…of the Lady Miaka which Nakago’s potion could not erase.
“Hotohori heard from Chichiri about all that had occurred…”
“He was shocked that the priestess had been hurt by Tamahome.”
Chichiri… Are you certain of what you just told me?!
Tamahome isn’t ever coming back? Is that what you’re saying?!
And Tamahome caused the wound on Miaka’s arm?
I just can’t believe it!
Highness!
It could be a spell to control a person from within.
I think Tamahome may have swallowed Kodoku.
However, I can’t heal him if he has.
Kodoku…?! Then Miaka…
I went to Tamahome to say goodbye…
How could this be?
There you go. You’ll be fine now.
Thanks, Mitsukake. Be sure to heal Tasuki now, too.
Never mind. Just get some rest now.
So, shall I play a song you like, Miaka?
What’s with you, all of a sudden?
Never mind. Please, give me a request!
Okay, let’s see…
I’d love to hear some things by B’Z, Chage & Aska, and Dorikamu!
Is that folk music from somewhere?
OW! Ow-ow-ow-ow!
Can’t ya do that a little softer?! What if you kill me?!
Three broken ribs, left arm and leg broken…
…multiple contusions and sprains all over your body…
If you can live through that, then nothing I do will kill you!
Anyway, I’ll heal you once my power’s regenerated.
No excuse for not treating people like PEOPLE…
Oh, yeah. What about Miaka?
You used your power before to cure her, didn’t you?
I could cure the wounds on her body…
…but not the ones in her heart.
Hotohori…
Don’t let us bother you, Chiriko.
Hotohori, I’m sorry. Now we won’t be able to summon Suzaku.
Never mind that… Are you all right?
Yeah. Mitsukake healed my arm—
No, that’s not what I mean!
W-Whoa! Why’s everyone look so serious?
Come on, I’m fine! There’s nothing we can do about Tamahome…
…so I’ve given up on him. I’m perfectly fine now!
Miaka… You don’t have to force yourself.
I… I’m not forcing myself!.
There’s no way you can be “perfectly fine,” can you?
For you, Tamahome is—
Enough! I said I’m fine, so drop it!
Would you leave me alone?!
There are times even I like to be by myself!.
I’m sorry… Hotohori!
Um, well, we’d better go, too, Miaka.
Your Highness…
I’m ashamed that I can do nothing for her!
She’s hurt so badly inside…
…and I had no idea what to say to her!
I could see Miaka forcing herself to smile…
…and how much it hurt her, yet when I tried to comfort her…
…it did nothing to calm her down.
Ow!
Are you all right, Tamahome?
Yeah…
They’re light wounds, after all.
Besides, a few more minutes and I’d have killed that guy Tasuki.
But even if you killed Tasuki and Chichiri…
…you wouldn’t have killed Miaka, would you?
What are you talking about?
Then what were those tears about?
It was because you were being separated from Miaka, wasn’t it?
Tamahome!
Didn’t I tell you? I belong to you.
It’s true that Tamahome now belongs to me…
But, this Tamahome is…
Goodbye…
Goodbye, Tamahome… Goodbye…
Excuse me, Yui.
Why? Why did I suddenly see that girl’s face just now?
If I don’t kill her quickly, I’ll never feel right again!
In that case…!
Hotohori… He must be so mad now.
After the terrible way I spoke to him.
What should I do? Now Tamahome and Yui will never come back.
I won’t be able to summon Suzaku.
I’ll never get back to my world…
That’s the room Tamahome used.
Tamahome’s clothes. They still smell like him…
It’s a lie. A lie!
I’m not “fine” at all!
From the moment we first met, I’ve always seen him.
I was able to survive in this world because Tamahome was with me!
But now…!
This rain looks like a real storm.
Doesn’t look like it’ll let up any time soon.
Mi-a-ka? I brought you some food!
I had them make your favorites for you!
Miaka…?
Miaka’s disappeared?! Is that true?!
I can’t find her anywhere! All I found was this note!
“GOODBYE”
What does…?
Could she be… Is Miaka going to…?!
You hear me, Miaka?
Don’t go near that weird book again.
Big Brother…
This is what I get for not listening to you.
I wanted to at least see Mom again one more time.
But now… I can’t go home! I have nowhere to go!
Now die!
Tamahome?
Miaka…
Tamahome…!
Tamahome, where are you? Answer me!
Tamahome? Where are you?
MIAKA!!!
Miaka! Miaka, where are you?!
MIAKA!
Miaka!
This is His Highness’s…!
Miaka! Don’t die! You mustn’t die!
Suzaku, give me strength!
I don’t care what happens to me, but Miaka mustn’t die!
MIAKA!!!
What’s that?!
Miaka! His Highness!
Miaka!
It’s all right. She’s alive.
Thank goodness.
Miaka.
Hotohori…?
You’re all right now, Miaka. You’re safe now.
What happened…?
I’m alive? Why?!
If you’re that lively, I have nothing to worry about.
I can barely remember hearing a voice calling me…
…just before I passed out. It was…
MIAKA!
He looks pale. Did he save me?
After what I said to him?
I’m sorry! I’m sorry! For being so stupid!
It’s all right, Miaka. Don’t cry.
I’ll always stay with you.
I’ll spend my entire life protecting you!
I want you and I to be together.
Hotohori…
I’ve had to live with my feelings for you up until now…
But now there’s nothing left to stand in their way!
Let me try to help you forget about Tamahome!
I love you, Miaka!
Hotohori, I…
Hotohori…
I… I…
So, this is the capital of Konan, huh?
This time I’ll make sure I kill her.
Prepare to die, Priestess of Suzaku…
Hotohori…
I’ve always loved you.
I want you… I want you to love me as well!
I… I…!
I’m sorry. It’s still too soon…
Yes. Don’t feel I’m forcing you.
You should think it over carefully.
I’m with you now, so relax and go to sleep.
His warm hands, his gentle voice…
Hotohori really does care for me.
I’ve always known it, yet I never answered him.
I should return his feelings.
That’s the best thing. Then I’ll be able to forget…
I know I’ll be able to forget him…!
Oh, Your Highness… You’re so wonderful.
No, it’s better as…
Oh…! What should I do?! I’m so embarrassed!
Maybe I should try drowning myself!.
You’d only end up dead in the water!
But if Tamahome never comes back, we can’t summon Suzaku, right?
What’ll we do?
Okay, you’re relieved.
What’s wrong?!
You let Tamahome go to Konan?! Why?!
Because he wanted to do it.
I’m going to kill the Priestess of Suzaku!
I’m hoping he’ll kill the rest of the Suzaku Seven…
…especially their emperor, Saihitei, better known as Hotohori.
It occurred to me that, since he’s one of Suzaku’s followers…
…any barriers they might have won’t affect him.
You liar! You planned to use him for this from the start!
Your words wound me.
It was for your sake that I brought him here.
All I’ve done was to make you happy.
You really think any of this makes me happy?!
Oh, yeah! Hotohori… Oh, that was scary.
He stayed with me and kept right on holding my hand.
He really does look sweet when he’s asleep.
I really may be able to fall in love with someone like him.
Hotohori… Look, about what you said before…
Hotohori, I think I…
Highness! A traitor has slipped inside the palace!
A traitor? Who?!
Well… According to my men, it’s one of the Suzaku Seven!
They say it’s Master Tamahome!
Tamahome…?
Could he have come to kill me?!
Hotohori!
Hotohori, what are you doing?!
Miaka, stay in there until I’ve dealt with this!
Am I clear? Don’t open this door for anyone!
I’ll protect you. It’s all right.
I’ll be back soon.
Hotohori… Is he going to…?
Hotohori, wait!
Miaka… No matter who it was that hurt you, I can’t forgive them!
Not even one whom heaven has fated to be my friend!
Hey, Chiriko, wait! Is it really Tamahome?
Are you sure about that?!
It’s true! I overheard the soldiers talking!
Where’s the Priestess of Suzaku?
T-Tamahome!
Why, you stubborn…!
“Tamahome, having appeared in Konan to kill the Priestess of Suzaku…
…now prepared to fight the Suzaku Seven who stood to protect her.”
This doesn’t concern you. Where’s the Priestess of Suzaku?
Tamahome!
Your Highness!
I won’t let you lay a finger on the Priestess of Suzaku— On Miaka!
If you are determined to do this, then fight me, Tamahome!
His mind controlled, Tamahome has become an agent of Nakago.
Now, Hotohori must fight him with all of his might.
With his heart frozen in resolve to kill her…
…only the touch of the Lady Miaka’s lips can melt it.
Next time, “I’ll Never Leave You”.
When he awakens, he will find a faithful heart.