The next morning Miaka woke up to a grumbling stomach and some laughing. Opening her eyes, she saw Tamahome was laughing. "What's so funny?" she asked. "You, your stomach has been grumbling for the last twenty minutes." She glared at him as she sat up. "Shut up Tamahome," she mumbled. This only made him laugh louder. Eventually everyone was up and moving. The got on their horses and headed out once again. The group stopped at the next village for food and Miaka pigged out. She stopped when she heard giggling. Turning around she saw Yui with Suboshi and Amiboshi. "Yui!" She smiled and walked forward.
"Lady Yui we really should return to our camp. It isn't safe here." "Oh please, it's perfectly safe. As long as we are with her and her guards. Suboshi, Amiboshi I would like to introduce you to my best friend Miaka." "A pleasure to meet you," they said. Miaka shivered. She still remembered the last time she saw Suboshi. He was trying to kill her but nodded. "I can't believe you ate all this," said Yui. "I'm not that hungry, I'm too tired." "LIAR! You wolfed down all the food!" shouted Tamahome. "Calm down, she's sick," said Nuriko. At this point she saw Hotohori was leaving and decided to go see where he was off to. "Excuse me, but I need some fresh air," said Miaka. She ran off before anyone could reply.
She saw he was sitting on the edge of the hill and walked up behind him. "Hotohori? May I sit down?" he nodded, and she sat next him. "What are you thinking about?" "I was just looking at the mountains and taking in the scenery. I don't get to see it every day," he said. "Oh yeah, I forgot about that. Being an Emperor doesn't allow you much freedom. When I came here the first time I told you I knew the feeling. Between school and wanting to please my mother I didn't have time to enjoy life either. I still stand by those words, but the years without you and the others made me feel so lonely that I knew how important you all meant to me," said Miaka.
"Your Mother? I was 14 when I succeeded my father. It was my mother's wish that I be Emperor. I was just her puppet as she pulled the strings. When my mother died it became lonely and quiet. There was the Harem and others, but I noticed in the silence that I had become like a bird in a cage." Miaka pulled his chin making him look at her. "Then fly. Spread your wings Hotohori and don't let anyone keep you in a cage. A bird is meant to fly not be kept in a cage locked up." He smiled and hugged Miaka tightly. She leaned into his chest and smiled. "You are such a sweet girl Miaka. I wish I had met you sooner. I feel you would have prevented my loneliness."
Miaka felt her heart flutter and blushed at the thought. "Have you thought about what I said? I want you to stay with me forever." Suddenly they turned around due to the commotion happening from the restaurant they had just left and saw Nuriko walking angrily towards them. "Damn you, Miaka!" "Why are you angry, Nuriko?" he asked. "Why? Why! Because she left me with the Priestess of Seiryu and failed to tell us!" She looked behind her and saw Tamahome ushering Yui out and allowing her and her two warriors to leave.
After about ten minutes of Nuriko venting they were on their way again. Sometime later Miaka looked around and noticed that Tamahome and her had been separated from Nuriko and Hotohori. "Tamahome we need turn around," she said. He looked around and noticed they were alone. Turning around he started heading back and it wasn't long before he saw Nuriko and Hotohori again. "Lord Hotohori…" he began. "Tamahome where is Miaka?" asked Hotohori. "What are you talking about she's right…" he trailed off. Looking around he realized that he was alone. Meanwhile Miaka was aimlessly walking around trying to avoid the trap, but before she knew it there the food was. "Damn it Taiitsukun! Why must you do this?" she cried. Just then she saw the shadow Miaka appear. "You!" "Ah Miaka you know me. Good then I don't have to explain it to you." Said the shadow. "Don't even think about it."
Miaka ran up and grabbed a plate. Quickly she broke it and held in front of her chest. "Don't even think about it. I did this once to stop you from harming my friends and I will do it again." The shadow Miaka looked at her and suddenly disappeared. "Huh? That never happened before?" Looking around she noticed the mirror world was disappearing. Eventually she could see Nuriko, Hotohori, and Tamahome. She took one step and started to fall to the ground. "Sire, Look!" said Nuriko. "Miaka!" shouted Hotohori. "How did this happen?" asked Tamahome. "Miaka open your eyes please," said Nuriko.
Slowly Miaka opened her eyes to see her friends smiling down at her. "Hey, why is everyone looking at me like I'm dead?" she asked. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as she sat up. She started to stand up, but Hotohori picked her up and placed her on the horse. They were about to start off again when the scenery changed. "I've watched the interactions between you and your warriors. Welcome Miaka, Priestess of Suzaku." Miaka looked up and smiled. "Taiitsukun! It's good to see you again," she smiled.