The Imperial concubine Nuriko has been revealed to be the third seishi, but as Miaka soon discovers, helping the Priestess of Suzaku is the last thing on Nuriko's mind! As Nuriko continues her campaign to monopolise Tamahome and make Miaka's life hell, Miaka nonetheless decides that she must make friends with the concubine, no matter what it takes. But will even Miaka's open and honest nature be able to win over the selfish and scheming Nuriko?

Miaka and Yui's happy reunion is cut short as a young foreigner named Nakago reveals Miaka to be the priestess of Suzaku. While Miaka and Yui are being chased, Chichiri and Tamahome are having their own problems as they fight their way into Kutou only to have Nakago block their path. When Tamahome finally reunites with Miaka, they are unknowingly under the ever watchful gaze of an old friend.

After helping Genro regain the leadership of the bandits, Miaka asks him if he knows anyone named Tasuki (the next member of the Suzaku Seven that the mirror indicated). He says that he knows who he is, however it just happens to be the old leader of the bandits who died. Miaka, Hotohori and Nuriko feel their quest to be doomed, until someone mentions that to the north, there is a rumour that someone can bring the dead back to life. The three leave Genro and go in search of this mysterious person, however when they arrive in the town, all is not what it seems as an incurable disease is plaguing the town, and when Miaka becomes ill, the Suzaku members don’t know what’s the right thing to do.

Four of five days later, the Suzaku Seven begin to become discouraged as the search for Chiriko, the last of the Suzaku Seven, rages on. They reach Tamahome's hometown, and there Mitsukake performs his healing magic and heals Tamahome's father. However, later that night, Kotou agents attack Miaka and the Suzaku Seven. In the distance, the sound of a flute appears. Who is this young boy?

Now that Tamahome is back to his own self, Miaka can summon Suzaku with all the warriors. Tasuki and Tamahome begin their friendship by loud bickering. Nuriko has asked Miaka to ask Suzaku to grant her wish, but her mind is somewhere else. She still needs to talk to Hotohori because of that passionate kiss she had with him. Tamahome told Miaka that the only wish he wants is to be with Miaka. Hotohori then explains to Miaka that she is only granted three wishes and she must think carefully about them. As preparations begin, Nakago assures Lady Yui that the Priestess will not summon Suzaku, for there is a trap set for them. Miaka continued to prepare for the ceremony to summon Suzaku, unaware of the Kutou plot in motion against them, while a mysterious boy is headed to where Miaka is.

Miaka's brother realizes they are connected by a hair that she left in the book. Her brother runs into an acquaintance while trying to leave the library with the book. He tells the guy about what has happened to Miaka so far between Yui, Tamahome, and her. Also the Suzaku seven. His friend tries to help him learn more about the story. They find some very suspicious things out about the person who returned the book to Japan. They then find out that the people who wrote the book intended for the young girl to become a sacrifice to summon one of the 4 gods. He tells Miaka but she doesn't believe him and cuts off their connection. The ship begins to get caught in a storm caused by one of the Seriyu seven and Miaka, Nuriko, and Tamahome go overboard. Tamahome is electrocuted.

Ashitare of Seiryuu Seven leaps to attack Miaka, but Nuriko saves her and manages to burn Ashitare by Chiriko's signal flares although he's hurt. He then told her that he's going to save her until his last breath draws, causes Miaka to think Nuriko is not a girl anymore. On the same time, Tamahome encounters Yui and tried to convince her to stop summoning Seiryu and come with him. She then told him that Tamahome is just a character in a book and that Miaka and Tamahome can't be together unless they summon Suzaku. Suboshi then came and Tamahome ran away, leaving Yui undecided of her fate. Reunited, Miaka, Nuriko and Tamahome found a house and stay there. Still mindful of what Yui said, Tamahome goes to have to drink by himself. Nuriko then approaches and tells Tamahome that he's ready to die for Miaka, admitting that he also love Miaka as a man. The next day, Nuriko decided he'll go find the Shinzaho and leave Tamahome and Miaka together to strengthen their relationship and find Chichiri and the others. Once there, when Nuriko was about to remove the large boulder blocking the cave of the hidden Shinzaho, he is found by Ashitare.

It is revealed that Soi slipped Tamahome a potion when they kissed at the end of the last episode. Mitsukake’s cat sees through Soi’s illusion and tries to warn Tamahome, but does not succeed. Amiboshi offers Miaka a forgetfulness leaves potion to help her forget her painful past and she almost accepts them, but remembers Nuriko, Tamahome, and the rest of the Suzaku Seven and declines. Tamahome refuses the fake Miaka as not to ruin any chance they may still have to summon Suzaku. Amiboshi regains his memory and Miaka resolves to find Yui and help her summon Seiryuu. After Soi fails to drain Tamahome, Tomo reveals himself. Kutou soldiers attack Makan Village and Amiboshi kills them using his flute powers. After defeating the soldiers, Amiboshi senses Tomo. Tomo tells Tamahome of the rest of the Suzaku Seven who are stuck in his illusion slowly dying and attacks Tamahome. Amiboshi senses Tamahome, but Miaka does not want to see Tamahome. Amiboshi, wanting to help, goes to bring him back. As he departed his adoptive father gives him a vial of forgetfulness leaves juice (which also can be used to diminish pain from wounds). Instead of waiting for Amiboshi to return, as she was instructed, Miaka runs off to find Yui and runs into Soi.

The dead Miboshi has possessed Chiriko, Miaka is captured and trapped by Miboshi and no one can save them. Subaru, the Byakko warrior uses her power on Tokaki and herself to be in the body they were 90 years ago. They saved Miaka but a tragic fate ends with Chiriko.

While Keisuke, Miaka, and Tamahome are waiting in a restaurant for Tetsuya, Keisuke notices Tamahome does not have a shadow. Keisuke tells Miaka he does not think she will be able to re-enter the book and Tamahome notices he has no reflection. Tamahome overhears them talking about how he is not “real” and he runs off. Miaka chases after him, but finds Yui and Suboshi while looking for him. Miaka tries to talk to Yui, but Suboshi chases her off. Mitsukake gives his life to save a baby and heal many wounded soldiers (on both sides). Tamahome sees a romance scene being filmed and remembers that he was going to stay with Miaka no matter what. Suboshi finally catches up to Miaka, but Tamahome arrives and tells Miaka that he is hers because she created his world by reading The Universe of the Four Gods.