Episode 5: Bewildered Heartbeat

Because of Miaka’s illness, Hotohori is greatly concerned. He speaks with Nuriko and Tamahome, and agrees that it would be best for Miaka to go back to her own world. The only one who knows how to get Miaka back there is Taiitsu-kun, the ruler of the world. Not everyone can find her, though, and normal people seeking her dwelling will see only a mountain range and nothing more. When Miaka wakes up, Hotohori breaks the news to her, and requests that she come back to him and his country. Tamahome leaves after overhearing these words, and gets Nuriko pretty ticked. Nuriko hits him in the head with a table, and tells Tamahome that he is being jealous. Nuriko orders Tamahome to apologize to Miaka like a “man”. Tamahome shakes it off, and says he is only interested in money, but seems unsure when he’s alone. After a long travel, the group decides to camp for the night. Miaka finds herself still very ill, and the traveling has only made it worse. Nuriko suggests that Miaka take a bath in a nearby spring with curative properties. While Miaka tries out this new idea, Nuriko wakes up Tamahome and plays matchmaker. Nuriko tells Tamahome that Miaka wants to meet him by the waterfall. Bathing nude in the spring, a large creature rises from the water near Miaka, who screams for help. Tamahome rushes to her rescue, only for both of discover it's only a log. Tamahome shares his feelings about when Miaka claimed she loved him. He admits he feels odd since no one has ever confessed to loving him like that, and that for seventeen years, his top priority has been making money. Tamahome reassures Miaka that he will take her to Mount Taikyoku safely under his wing. Falling from a tree by a crashing branch, Nuriko reveals that she has been there the whole time. A grateful Miaka hugs Nuriko and is shocked when she realizes “she” is really a man. Nuriko then admits he’ll do anything for love (and Hotohori), and Miaka, nonetheless, is surprised. After lunch, they notice Hotohori is gone, and Miaka goes off to see where he went. Finding Hotohori gazing at the mountains, Miaka asks him what's wrong. Hotohori explains his loneliness, and Miaka responds by telling him to do whatever he thinks is best, and to “fly free as he wishes to”. Hotohori then caresses Miaka, but the moment is interrupted and they find Nuriko and Tamahome have been spying on them again. During all this, we find out that Taiitsu-kun has been watching them inch closer to her, and has decided to “test” their devotion for each other by conjuring a magical mirror. They walk pleasantly through the dense dark forest, while Miaka runs off after they have their “talk”. Everyone else tries to find her, but find that it is now late. Miaka once again follows her weakness (FOOD!), already seen in episode 2. Wouldn’t she think it’s weird that a table of food would be sitting in the forest out of nowhere? Obviously not, because when Miaka gets near the food, she finds that she has stepped through a portal that is actually an overgrown mirror. Miaka has been sucked into Taiitsu-kun’s mirror, and is shocked to find a double of herself staring back at her...