Fushigi Yûgi: The Mysterious Play

Fourteen year old Miaka Yukiâ's life centred on two things- passing her high school entrance exams, and getting to eat all of her favourite dishes! But when Miaka accompanies her friend Yui to the National Library, her whole life is turned upside down when she finds herself drawn to the Restricted Section, and to a mysterious book entitled The Universe of the Four Godsâ. And, as Miaka and Yuki begin to read the story, they find themselves transported into the world of the book, a magical and mysterious land based on ancient China!

Unaware that Yui has been returned to the real world, Miaka continues to search for her, even asking for help from Tamahome, the boy who has twice rescued her from danger. Unfortunately, Miaka's unfamiliarity with this new world lands both her and Tamahome in big trouble when they both end up getting captured by the Imperial guards! Meanwhile, Yui continues to read "The Universe of the Four Gods," as yet unaware that the events of the story are an exact mirror of Miaka's adventures.

Having agreed to become the Priestess of Suzaku, Miaka discovers that she must now gather the Stars of Suzaku, seven seishi (celestial warriors) who must be present in order to summon the Beast God Suzaku. Tamahome and Emperor Hotohori are the first two seishi, but five more still need to found, and to that end, Hotohori summons the land's greatest warriors and scholars to the palace. Are the remaining celestial warriors among their number, or will they end up finding the next seishi in an far unlikelier place?

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?

The stress and exhaustion of Miaka's adventures in the book have finally taken the toll, leaving the Priestess of Suzaku feverish and weak. Concerned over her health, Hotohori decides that the three seishi must take her to see Taiitsukun- the controller of the Universe of the Four Gods and the one person who might have the power to send Miaka back to her own world.

As Miaka and the three seishi approach Taiitsukun's home on Mount Taikyoku, the controller of the Universe of the Four Gods decides to set them a test by trapping Miaka in a mirror and replacing her with an evil reflection of herself. As her evil duplicate begins causing havoc among the seishi, Miaka realises that she and her reflection must share a connection, and resolves to put a stop to the evil Miaka by taking her own life.

Miaka and the three seishi have made it Mount Taikyoku, but the incident with Miaka's duplicate has left all except Nuriko drained and weak. With Miaka suffering from severe blood loss, Taiitsukun uses her magic to transfuse blood from willing volunteers Hotohori and Tamahome. Her strength renewed, Miaka is ready to be sent home, but will even the combined power of the three seishi, and the strength of her friendship with Yui be enough to pull her back to the real world?

Miaka has made it back to the real world, but to her surprise, Yui is nowhere to be seen! After discovering that only two hours have passed since she came to the library, Miaka returns home, but predictably no one believes her story about the Universe of the Four Gods, and her brother even warns her to stay away from the book in future! Despite his warning, however, Miaka begins to suspect that Yui must have been drawn into the book when she was sent home, and resolves to return to the Universe of the Four Gods in order to find her friend.

Following a brief reunion, Tamahome decides to ride off and make a quick trip home- giving Miaka the perfect opportunity to sneak after him and find out more about man she loves- including just why he is so interested in making money! But there is danger in store for Miaka as hostile forces in the neighbouring land of Kutou send assassins after her- and it falls to a mysterious new protector to keep her safe.

Miaka and the others have found Chichiri, the fourth seishi, but when he relays news that Kutou is searching for the Priestess of Seiryu, Miaka begins to suspect that the girl they are looking for is none other than Yui! Determined to find her friend without involving anyone else, Miaka slips away from Tamahome's watchful gaze, and begins making her way to the land of Kutou.