Tamahome

"But even if we are separated for now, I still believe. That someday, surely, I will meet you again. No, that I will find you again. I promise you. No matter how my appearance may change... and it takes thousands or ten thousands of years... No matter which world you're in, I will come to you again. Somehow, I know I'll reach you. And when I do, I will once again say to you... I love you"

- Tamahome to Miaka

Tamahome is the male protagonist of the anime and manga series Fushigi Yugi. and is the most powerful member of the Suzaku Seven, a group of people blessed with magic powers by the God Suzaku to protect his priestess. He first appears when he saves Yui and Miaka Yuki from slave traders only to ask for money in return. When Yui goes back to the real world, Miaka hunts him down and is almost raped when Tamahome returns and saves her. Still demanding money, Miaka asks the Emperor of Kounan for some but several mishaps cause the two to be hunted down. Tamahome uses a smoke bomb and saves her and decides to kiss her forehead as payment. However the two are discovered and arrested.

The Emperor, the extremely handsome Hotohori realizes that Miaka is from another world and the destined Priestess of Suzaku. Seeing the Ogre symbol in his forehead, Hotohori has Tamahome released and sends them on a mission to find the remaining members of the Suzaku Seven. Realzing she can go home with one of the three wishes she'd be granted Miaka accepts her quest while Tamahome offers to be like a big brother to her since she was feeling alone.

Hotohori, a member of the Suzaku Seven offers to go along when Miaka annoys some guards into attacking her causing a building to fall on her. Tamahome is able to rescue her by jumping on top of her and using his strength to keep the rubble from crushing them. Nuriko, a consort to Hotohori uses immense strength to free the two and kisses Tamahome, freaking him out. Nuriko is revealed to be the third Suzaku Warrior so Miaka tries to befriend her. Tamahome hides from Nuriko when he tells Niaka he likes money more than women. After nearly getting Miaka accidentally killed by drowning, Nuriko revelas she loves Hotohori and was using Tamahome. After escaping the lake and slapping each other, Nuriko and Miaka quickly become friends.

When Hotohori proposes to Miaka she soon realizes she may have feelings for Tamahome and confesses to him in the rain. Tamahome rebuffs her affections and shock gives Miaka a fever. Deciding that se needs to return home, Hotohori, Nuriko, and Tamahome escort Miaka to Taiitsukun to find a way home. Tamahome apologizes to Miaka as she was the first girl to ever say she loved him and didn't know how to react. They reach Taiitsukun who tells them that Miaka and Yui's school uniforms would enable her to go home. However, when Miaka makes it home, Yui is trapped in the book and is nearly raped by tugs when Nakago, the main antagonist saves her. Miaka heads back in the book and learns that three months have passed. Nuriko tells Miaka that since she was gone Tamahome was in a sever depression which made him realize he was in love with Miaka. The two reunite when Miaka is told the kingdom of Kutou is targeting the Empire of Kounan.

When Tamahome leaves the area, Nuriko and Miaka follow him and discover his very large family and learn that his obsession with money came his need to provide for his little brothers and sisters due to his father's failing health. A soldier from Kutou attacks but Miaka is saved by Chichiri, another warrior of Suzaku. Miaka soon realizes that Yui may be the Priestess of Seiryu and heads to Kutou alone and finds her best friend. Tamahome follows and Yui overhears the love confession between Tamahome and Miaka. Believing Miaka only came for Tamahome, she tricks Miaka into going to the shrine of Seiryu. Seiryu's presence cripples Miaka and Nakago creates a barrier to prevent the Suzaku Warriors from entering. Yui tells Miaka that she waited for three months for her and will now take Tamahome for herself. Chichiri is able to teleport into the shrine and Tamahome's strong will allows him to overcome the barrier and the three escape.