Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Labyrinth - Chapter Two

The Sea of the Wind, Shore of the Labyrinth - Chapter Two (風の海 迷宮の岸 二章, Kaze no Umi Meikyuu no Kishi Nishou) is the sixteenth episode of the Twelve Kingdoms anime series. It is the second chapter of the second major arc of the series, which focuses on Taiki, the missing taika kirin for the Kingdom of Tai.

Summary
In the present, Youka continues tell the story of Taiki to Youko, who surmises that Taiki's disappearance in Japan must have caused a huge ordeal.

In the past, Youka accompanies Taiki and Sanshi during a morning walk and explains to Taiki the rules at Houro Palace. Because Taiki was not raised in the Twelve Kingdoms, she shows him the Shashinboku, the tree from which all kirin are born. Taiki begins to recall how out-of-place he felt with his family in Hourai.

Taiki begins to adjust to a comfortable life upon Mt. Hou, cared for by the Nyosen. The nyosen grow to enjoy his company and are amused by his easy-going nature, particularly when he has Youka ask the other nyosen to eat with him so he will not be alone during his meals. However, Taiki's curiosity about the world he was born into results in Youka taking him to Chizu Palace to see the map of the Twelve Kingdoms.

Later, Taiki is playing hide-and-seek with Sanshi when he tries to hide himself among the Nyosen. The women throw hohs (clothes worn with kimonos) cover him but Sanshi instinctively knows he is under there. Youka asks that he and Sanshi should go wash up before dinner. So, they go off.

As Taiki is bathing a man is pulling water from the same stream. Taiki is worried he might have 'spoiled' the water. The man responds, water from which a kirin has bathed in is a blessing. The man is revealed to be lord Shinkun. He offers to take Taiki to the gate leading outside Houro Palace.