His image had changed since the beginning of the story.He didn't know what love was until he found Miaka,it was in that moment when he first felt that kind of feeling...she was his first love! Before I became a mangaka, when I was 18 years old,at the time of "Heart ni Houseki", I used to draw Tamahome. When I found that notebook,the character reborned after so long.
He's a guy hard to describe and by the other hand he seems to be a young sad boy with issues. His image is the one of a strong but fragil guy. By protecting someone,he also protects himself.
Tamahome makes you feel like hugging him...why would it be?