As Tamahome is tending to her leg, they discuss Nuriko and Tamahome suspects that Miaka is jealous. She denies it. In the background, Nuriko is listening to all of this.

Later that night, Miaka finds a depressed Nuriko. She asks her whats wrong and Nuriko says that she lost her favorite earing in the pond that was outside the palace. Miaka volunteers to find it, and Nuriko gets happy and tells Miaka that it's easier to find it in the dark, since the earing glows in the dark. In return, Nuriko promised to be Miaka's seishi and help her.

The Emperor and his guards discuss Hotohori finding an Empress. They suggest Nuriko, but he says that ever since he was little he's dreamed of the ideal woman. Miaka pops up, scaring everyone. Hotohori asks Miaka about Nuriko and says that he'll make Nuriko get along with MIaka. Miaka denies the offer and says in order to get along with her, she needs to win Nurikos friendship herself and leaves a confused Hotohori in the scene.

At the pond, Miaka falls in, and gets tangled in the weeds. Back in the real world, Yui finds herself covered in water.

Back in the book, Nuriko tells her servants that the whole "earring in the pond" was a trick and by now she should be a drenched rat. Tamahome storms in after hearing that, and tries to go ater Miaka. Nuriko holds him back and they argue. She goes on about how Hotohori ignores her and falls all over Miaka all the time. So out of revenge, she went after Tamahome.

Miaka appears in the doorway. She heard all of the stuff Nuriko said and realizes that Nuriko loves Hotohori, not Tamahome. They have it out, and Miaka says she will give a hint to Hotohori about noticing Nuriko. Cluelessly, Tamahome watches and wonder how he fits into any of this.

In Hotohori's chambers, Miaka tells him that someone nearby loves him. Thinking she is talking about herself, Hotohori confesses his love to Miaka and they almost kiss. Miaka pretends it's Tamahome though. (.....)

Hotohori realizes that Tamahome and Nuriko are listening in. Tamahome is there to take Miaka back to her room, but Hotohori insists that she stay in his room for the night. He proposes to her and Tamahome is stunned...so is Miaka. Hotohori advises her to think about it.

The next morning, Tamahome is cold towards Miaka. He tells her he has to find work in the city, and that she should go hangout with Nuriko. Nuriko appears and is majorly pissed that she (Miaka) was with the Emperor, so she goes off with Tamahome to the city. Miaka follows them.

In the city, Tamahome attempts to sell gum that the Suzaku No Miko gave him. The crowd is skeptical as to whether he really knows the Miko, until Miaka appears and says it's true. A mob crowds around Tamahome and Miaka, but they manage to escape into an alley.

Miaka asks what Tamahome thinks of her, and before he can answer they get approached by thugs. They try to bargain with Tamahome about selling the Miko to them. They say they will pay him 3 gold coincs but Tamahome insists on 5. Miaka got deeply hurt. But as usual, Tamahome beats the crap out of them, as Nuriko watches from behind a wall.

It starts to rain, and Miaka starts yelling at Tamahome as to why he puts himself in danger for her all the time. Trying to avoid the issue, he says it's not important. In a rage, Miaka screams out, "It is!!!! Because....because.....because I'M IN LOVE WITH YOU!!!!!!!!!!" She covers her mouth on realizing what she said. Tamahome rudely replies that he doesn't feel the same way and that he protects her cause she's the Miko. (*!!!!!!!!*)

Miaka then collaspes onto the ground from a sudden fever......