Tamahome and Hotohori sense an evil presence in Miaka's room and burst in, ready to attack. A disembodied voice speaks out to them, stating that Kutou will destroy and conquer Konan unless Tamahome agrees to go to Kutou. Nuriko and Chichiri, who had also felt this evil presence, enter the room. With Chichiri's help, the evil presence is revealed to be a Kutou spy. Despite the four Warriors' attempts to stop him, he escapes. Chichiri confirms that no evil was now present, however Miaka remains worried by the message given to them and that Tamahome might leave. At the back of her mind, she wonders about the possible reason for this, briefly suspecting Yui. Hotohori urges Tamahome to ignore the message, despite the fact that Kutou's army is three times bigger than Konan's and is advancing towards Tamahome's home village, and suggests that they all go to sleep. Tamahome chooses to watch over Miaka, promising he will never leave her side. When Miaka falls asleep, Tamahome decides to go to Kutou, kissing Miaka and wishing her well. The next morning, Miaka is frantic after she finds Tamahome missing. She hands Hotohori a letter that Tamahome had left behind for her, saying what he had done and that he will come back as soon as the last Warriors have been found. Although in despair, Miaka decides to look for the other three Warriors of Suzaku without Tamahome. She is equipped with a hand mirror that will give her a sign of any Warrior's presence. Near Mt. Reikaku, the mirror flashes, but just then, Chichiri goes missing, offering to take Hotohori's place in Konan as the latter ventures with Miaka. Nuriko and Miaka stop for lunch and discover that it was a trap set by mountain bandits. They are suddenly saved by Hotohori, and then continue their journey. Hotohori hands Tamahome's letter to Miaka, and points out the words "Wo Ai Ni" – I love you. Miaka is crestfallen once more, and Hotohori tries to comfort her, but Miaka pushes away his advances. As she runs away, spikes come down toward her, and Hotohori pushes her down. Nuriko too is rendered unconscious. When they wake up, they discover themselves in Mt. Reikaku. Miaka tears off some of the bandits' clothes, trying to find a Suzaku symbol. She is taken to the bandits' leader. In Kutou, as Tamahome is held captive, he is confronted by Nakago. Yui attends to him when he is slapped by Nakago, and even as Tamahome says that he will reunite her with Miaka soon, Yui resolves to keep him and Miaka apart.