nuriko

Nuriko is the third of the Suzaku Seishi to appear. He saved Miaka and Tamahome from being crushed under a falling structure. He possesses extraordinary strenth that equals to a hundred man. He made himself known as a "woman" to all of them. And he actually likes Hotohori although he makes it seem that he wanted Tamahome to make Miaka aflame with jealousy. But soon enough Miaka discovered that Nuriko is a man.

At first, he doesn't treat Miaka as the Suzaku No Miko nor would he like to protect her. But as time goes by, they discovered that both of them can also get along well and become friends. The story behind his love to be a woman is a sad one. Nuriko has a little sister named Kourin whom he cherished very much. When he was only ten yrs. old, Kourin died before his eyes when a speeding runaway horses trampled her to death. Nuriko doesn't want to accept that his sister is already gone. Since he and his sister looks a lot like each other, he decided to dress as a woman believing that by doing so, the memories of Kourin will remain alive.
Finding new friends in the company of the other Suzaku Seishi and with the help of Miaka, Nuriko finally accepted the death of his sister. He even find himself in love with Miaka, believing that if Kourin is only alive, she would have been like her. Nuriko respects the love of Tamahome and Miaka for each other and is contented with protecting the Suzaku No Miko.