Episode 4: Missing Love

Tamahome reassures Miaka that nothing is becoming of him and Nuriko and never will! Tamahome teases Miaka, figuring she's jealous by the way she's acting with the situation, and begins to laugh, much to Miaka's annoyance. They don't notice Nuriko watching them on the other side of the body of water... Nuriko has lost her earring, and asks Miaka to search for it near the pond. Nuriko claims the pond can be seen the clearest “at night”, and the gem of the earring should glow in the dark, so it shouldn’t be too much of a hassle for poor Miaka. Miaka delightfully decides to help Nuriko, but comes across Hotohori on her way to the pond. This time Hotohori is now aware of Nuriko’s horrible attitude towards Miaka, and offers to order Nuriko to be nicer, but Miaka refuses, explaining how orders do not change a person’s mind. Miaka continues to be strong-willed, and wants to try and befriend Nuriko on her own. Nuriko is waiting for Miaka’s return, going hysterically crazy in her room because of the prank she just pulled. There is no earring! Miaka, the unwitting participant in Nuriko’s horrible scheme, falls into the water, getting stuck with all the weeds pulling her down. She shrieks for Tamahome's help, waking him from his sleep. Tamahome runs to Miaka's rescue, but on the way overhears Nuriko and her maids talking. Bursting in the room, Tamahome demands to know what she did to Miaka. Nuriko latches onto Tamahome's arm, not wanting him to save Miaka. Miaka returns to her own room soaking wet. Miaka asks Nuriko if Nuriko truly loved His Highness. They begin to fight and exchange slaps. Miaka tells Nuriko that she will help Nuriko get together with Hotohori, and is secretly relieved to know Nuriko doesn't love Tamahome. Nuriko escapes Miaka’s room, crying. Miaka comes to Hotohori to give him some hints about Nuriko but instead finds him confessing his love for her. Hotohori asks Miaka to become his Empress, and tries to kiss her, but stops on the verge of doing so. He stands up, takes his sword, and slices open the wall to find Tamahome and Nuriko on the other side, eavesdropping. Miaka almost leaves, but Hotohori tells her she could stay in the room. He goes for his own room, leaving Miaka in the cozy place all to herself. Miaka plays an important role in the sale, because no one believes Tamahome, until Miaka takes off her disguise to verify his story. The two of them run off to try to get away from the mob, who clamor to meet Suzaku no Miko, but instead encounter more trouble. They are told by the mob boss that in order for Tamahome to sell things in that territory, Tamahome must pay him first. Tamahome doesn’t agree with the idea and puts up his dukes. Naturally, Tamahome beats the stuffing out of the antagonist, but after this victory, Miaka yells at him for ruining the business. Dark storm clouds rumble overhead, and it begins to pour down on them. With a little change of the subject, Miaka accidentally confesses that she loves him. This leaves Tamahome in shock, but he doesn't turn around, and the next words that come out of his mouth is that he doesn’t feel the same about her. Miaka is very overwhelmed and falls to the ground, her face flushed with fever...