Miaka has become very ill and is resting back at the palace. Tamahome tells Hotohori what happened in the city, and thinks about what Miaka said to him. Miaka calls out to her brother and mother, making everyone see how homesick she is. Hotohori, Nuriko, and Tamahome decide that they have to get Miaka back home as soon as possible. Hotohori talks of a benevolent wizard that can help them named Taiitsukun, who lives on Mt.Taikyoku. Miaka thinks about what she said to Tamahome, and what his reaction was. Embarassed, she says that she has to apologize for saying those things. Hotohori checks on her and tells her that they have to journey to Mt. Taikyoku to get her home. He tells her that going home is the best thing, but he wants her to come back when she is recovered. They hug, and Miaka thinks that she can forget about Tamahome if she goes back to her world. Nuriko scolds Tama for being mean to Miaka, and tells him to apologize so that the emperor will notice HER for a change. She also says that Tama is in love with Miaka is jealous of the Hotohori. He totally denies it and says that his only love is for MONEY. After walking away from Nuriko, he thinks to himself "Jealous......hmmm" (you can totally tell he is) As Miaka and the group are preparing for their journey, her and Tama catch each other's glance...but they turn away from each other. Nuriko sees this and goes bonkers realizing how frustrating this whole thing is. Then they leave for Mt. Taikyoku. That night, they make camp in a forest. Miaka feels ill again, so Nuriko tells her about a lake in the forest that can heal disease. She goes and tells Nuriko not to tell Tamahome where she is. But THEN Nuriko drags Tama around and tells him to go to the lake also, for Miaka wants to talk to him. (that little schemer!!!!) Miaka gets undressed and goes into the water. Tama is almost there when he hears Miaka scream. She thinks she's being attacked by a monster...so Tama dives in to kill it. Turns out to be a stupid log. Neither of them know what to say to each other, but Miaka makes herself say "I'm sorry"........but at the same time Tama apologizes also. He knows what he said wasn't kind, but no woman has ever said she loved him. All he's thought about is money, and not love. But he vows that he will help her to get to Mt. Taikyoku and he runs off. Nuriko, who's been up in a tree listening the whole time, falls to the ground and Miaka thanks her for having Tama come to talk to her. Being so happy that Tamahome doesn't hate her, she tugs on Nuriko's robe, which winds up opening up to reveal that she has no breasts! NURIKO IS A MAN!!!!!!!!!! (but a very beautiful man) Miaka freaks, but Nuriko just says that someone was bound to find out. (very funny scene) Someone is watching this whole thing through some kinda "mirror" and says to herself that the Miko should worry about her safety. The journey continues, and they stop at a village to eat. After wolfing down tons of food, Miaka finds Hotohori sitting by himself. He tells Miaka how he became very lonely after his parents died and he became Emperor. Miaka tries to cheer him up and finds herself very attracted to Hotohori. He tells her that he wants to be with her forever. Nuriko, again, is up in a tree listening to this and gets very pissed off. As Tama is holding him back from pounding Miaka, she looks at Tama and feels bad. The person who is watching them through the "mirror" says that she thinks she is going to test Miaka to see if she is the Suzaku No Miko. She casts a spell..... The forest starts to get very foggy, and after an argument with Tama, Miaka runs away and dissapears into the fog. Tama tells Hotohori and Nuriko and they frantically search for her. Miaka realizes that she is lost, but before she panics she smells...what else....FOOD!!! After another "sailormoon type" stance, she sees a table a food and runs for it. But she ends up running into a huge mirror! As she bangs on the glass, a voice says "Welcome to inside the mirror, Miaka." Miaka turns arounds and sees another Miaka!! A much meaner looking Miaka............