Fushigi Yuugi Genbu Kaiden~ Alternate Ending
Oh, lost, lost in the words that we scream
I don't even wanna do this anymore
'Cause you already know what you mean to me
And our love's the only war worth fighting for
Wherever you go, that's where I'll follow
Nobody's promised tomorrow
So I'ma love you every night like it's the last night
Like it's the last night
If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you
If the party was over and our time on Earth was through
I'd wanna hold you just for a while and die with a smile
If the world was ending, I'd wanna be next to you
Right next to you
~Bruno Mars/Lady Gaga 'Die with a Smile'~
Uruki stood tall, overlooking the ruined city, his wife's lifeless body in his arms, every person in sight bowing low to the ground in reverence of her. To the person that had saved them from their fates, who had brought life back to their country. Their emperor, the celestial warrior Uruki, was a regal vision, the wind that he so famously controlled blowing around him. Tears fell freely down his cheeks, his expression a sort of calm sorrow.
The people were silent, bowing in gratitude, waiting for their emperor's words. Yet Uruki couldn't bring himself to speak. His heart was too heavy. So much had happened in only a matter of days. Finally seeing Takiko again and having her taken from him so cruelly was not something he would ever recover from, he knew that. There was no measure to his pain. He felt nearly blinded by it but somehow, through his grief he somehow heard it, the faint voice in his mind. Hatsui, Urumiya, and Inami all turned their heads to the sky at the same time, having heard the voice as well. A presence filled the air, enveloping them in the light of Genbu. Uruki clutched Takiko tighter, his eyes shutting against the harsh brightness that surrounded him and the other warriors.
When he opened them, he and the others were in a completely different realm. All around them the sound of flowing water. Fog gathered at their feet, obscuring the ground and enveloping the air around them, rising to the horizon where the faded shapes of mountains could be seen. Waterfalls could be heard and the sky seemed to glow.
Uruki heard Inami gasp and he turned to be met by the floating corporeal forms of Namame, Hikitsu, and Tomite.
"Y-you guys?"
Such a surge of feeling, seeing them there after their deaths. A sob was heard from Hatsui.
Nothing was said as the three forms stepped forward, each reaching out to place a hand on Takiko. Uruki brokenly gazed at Tomite who smiled sadly at him. "There is still some power of the star-life stone. But you all have to do the rest."
"What?" Uruki felt Inami at his shoulder, Urumiya at the other, and Hatsui grasping at his pant leg. "What do you-?"
"Pray for our priestess everyone." Hikitsu solemnly spoke. "If there's any chance, this would be it. Pray."
Uruki looked to Namame who gazed up at him with his expressionless eyes and Uruki heard it then for the first time, Namame's voice. 'We will give everything we have to bring her back with the power of the Star-life stone. But the priestess will need the power of everyone's prayers if there is any chance.'
With that there was another shine of light and everyone blocked their eyes but Uruki couldn't be bothered, his breath coming out in harsh gasps as he comprehended what he had been told. A chance. There was a chance.
Soon they were back where they'd been, standing on the ramparts of the palace over the city. Firuka ran forward toward them. "Are you all alright!?" She asked, near distraught. "You all disappeared!"
There was a moment of silence while the warriors traded looks with each other. When Inami caught Uruki's eyes and saw the glimmer of hope that had begun to gather there she made a decision. Her chin went up and she spun, striding to the edge of the ramparts. She cupped her hands around her mouth and began shouting. "People of Tewulan! Please listen! The priestess of Genbu, our Priestess, is not strong enough to return to us! She needs help! Your help!"
Mutterings from the crowd as everyone looked up in confusion and wonder. Inami continued. "It might not be enough but if we all work together, we might be able to help her find her way back to us! Please, for us! For Bei-Jia! And for his royal highness! Please help us!"
There were roars from the crowd as everyone worked themselves up, many screaming for directions on what they could do, how they could help. Uruki went to stand at the edge of the ledge, Takiko cradled close but for all to see. With a strength that even he hadn't known he possessed he called out to his people.
"Everyone please, I ask this of you not as a command from your emperor, but as a plea. I ask that you all send your prayers to the Priestess of Genbu! Please let her hear your voices!"
And everyone immediately clasped their hands together in prayer, closing their eyes and bowing their heads. All around Uruki the others followed suit, Inami, Urumiya, Firuka, all their guards. Hatsui was murmuring his prayers under his breath, voice choked with tears. "Please...Please bring her eminence back to us. We need her. We love her. I don't want to lose anyone else. Please bring back Takiko."
Uruki felt his own eyes fill with tears as he raised his chin to the sky and silently wished, harder than he had ever wished for anything, that Takiko would return to him.
For a long time the world was still and silent, the city frozen with prayer. And then-
A burst of a familiar and brilliant silver light shot from the heavens, shooting straight for Takiko in Uruki's arms just as water jettisoned from the geysers behind the palace and once again began raining down. Uruki felt himself get blown back from a sudden onslaught of strong winds, Takiko ripped from his grasp. Hands caught him, Urumiya steadying him on one side and Firuka on the other. The wind pushed at them all, keeping them kneeling, but Uruki struggled to his feet and fought it with his power, desperate to keep his eye on the pillar of light.
"Takiko-!"
It was a frightening sight. Water, wind, and light twining together in an ever-spiraling column where they could see nothing inside. Uruki felt his gut drop, nearly mad with grief as Takiko disappeared from his view.
Beside him Firuka wept. "The priestess..."
Uruki grasped her hand on his arm. "No! Keep praying! Please!"
He shocked her but she quickly nodded, clutching his arm tighter as her expression shifted to show her resolve. From across the way Uruki could see Hatsui in front of Inami, his fists still balled tightly as he continued to pray for Takiko while Inami held onto him. Uruki followed suit.
'Please! Please Genbu! Please bring Takiko back to me!'
Slowly the light began to fade. The wind died down and everyone was able to lift their heads to see. Floating within the center of the fading pillar was Takiko, her body awash in a glow. The smell of the Toqa seed assaulted Uruki's senses and his heart skipped in his chest. He knew what that meant but he hardly dared to hope.
As the last of the light left her, Takiko's form began to fall.
"Takiko!" Uruki flew like a shot to her side amid the gasps of the city, catching her as he had so often done. She fell into his arms and it was then that Uruki knew for certain. Her body was warm and her eyelashes were fluttering as she attempted to wake.
Takiko was alive.
Time seemed to stop for all of them as Uruki held onto her, desperately searching her face, needing her to open her eyes, needing to be absolutely sure elsewise he would crumble, broken for the second time that day.
With a soft flutter Takiko softly opened her eyes and Uruki felt all the air in his lungs leave him.
"Limdo..."
Uruki fell to his knees, no longer able to support them. His vision blurred, sobs caught themselves in his throat as he struggled to breathe. He didn't think he could even keep them upright but Takiko held onto him, smiling gently. They were suddenly encompassed in an all consuming embrace as Hatsui, Inami, Urumiya, and Firuka exclaimed their happiness and threw themselves at them. Wails from the crowd reminded Uruki of their audience but he couldn't bring himself to care as he held Takiko as tight as he could, losing himself in the arms of the woman he loved and the warmth of his friends. Takiko softly hummed in his ear, her own voice thick with tears. "You saved me."
Uruki gave a broken laugh, unashamedly pulling back to look at her, his face streaked with dirt and tears. "No. They did. Everyone. Everyone who wanted to see you again."
Takiko nodded back at him, so heart wrenchingly beautiful in that moment that Uruki couldn't stop himself from clutching her closer. "I heard them. Their voices. Tomite, Namame, Hikitsu... I heard them along with all of your prayers. All of you... Everyone..." Takiko looked at each of her warriors in turn, taking in their tears and smiles. She felt the beautifully overwhelming feeling of their love envelop her and she couldn't hold back her crying as she told them,
"Thank you."
There was laughter, broken by half-sobs, and much hugging but nothing could compare to the roar of cheering from the people of Bei-Jia as Uruki and Takiko fell into each other to meet with a kiss.
.x:X:x.
That evening should have been a time of celebration but there had been too much death and destruction that day for people to feel comfortable with festivities. The Qu-Dong army had retreated, with their Emperor exchanging a quick set of words with Emperor Limdo before departing. The outer palace rooms had been turned into makeshift hospital rooms to help tend to the injured and food had been distributed to the people from the palace's private stores. Though grief stricken from all they had lost that day, the people of Tewulan were still in awe of what the future would hold for them now that Spring had been returned to their country. And everyone spoke of the Priestess and her warriors, especially Uruki, and how loyal and strong they had been.
Meanwhile, in the inner palace, Uruki was having a hard time letting Takiko out of his arms. They had retired to his room and Uruki had wasted no time in pulling his empress to him and tightly holding onto her. Takiko buried her face in his neck.
"Uruki..."
"Thank the Gods. I can't believe you're really here with me." Uruki's voice cracked on the last word and Takiko pulled back to look up at him. The intensity of his gaze made her want to weep. She could see he was so happy she was there but there was a deep grief in his eyes and she realized that he would be reliving her death for years to come. Tears gathered at the corners of her eyes.
"I'm so sorry Uruki. I'm...so sorry."
"Don't." His fingers brushed back her bangs gently. "You're here with me now. Alive. That's all that matters."
Takiko nodded. "I can't believe I am here. I don't even feel sick anymore." She shivered in the circle of his arms. "I'm not sure how it's possible. Why was I allowed to survive..." She winced slightly when Uruki's grip tightened around her.
"Don't Takiko." For a moment his expression had twisted into something much like it had when Soren had died. "I'm not going to question it. I refuse to care how. All I care about is that you are with me now."
Takiko made to speak but Uruki shook his head. "You died Takiko. And I was powerless to stop it."
"Uruki..."
"I just wanted you to live Takiko. It wasn't just about my own feelings. You were so strong this whole time, dealing with everything and still putting all of us before yourself. The Priestesses that come after you are going to have a hard time measuring up because I don't think any of them will ever be as incredible as you."
She couldn't stop herself from blushing prettily then, her gaze casting itself downward. "I'm not so sure..."
"I am." He moved to sit on the bed, towing Takiko so that she could sit across his lap while he held her.
"I never thought we would be here. When I first met you and realized you were the Priestess there was a part of me that was disappointed." When Takiko made to pull away he quickly pulled her back in, hurriedly explaining himself. "Not like that! Not because I was disappointed with you! I was disappointed because even then I could feel myself falling for you. I wanted more than anything for you to be anyone other than the priestess. But here we are now and somehow we both survived. I won't ever stop being thankful for that."
With her head resting on his chest Takiko let out a deep but content sigh. "I understand. I kept thinking to myself that I could do so many things if I just became the priestess. But ultimately I just wanted to know that I was of help to someone. I didn't want to be worthless. But I know I've found my purpose here. I feel like I was always meant to come here and be with you."
Uruki said nothing in response, merely using a finger to tilt her chin up. Their eyes met, saying so much without words, and then Uruki was deeply kissing her. She responded to his kiss, a little startled by the force of it. Uruki had always been passionate when he kissed her, but there was more to it this time. This was the kiss of a man who had thought he had lost the love of his life. This was a man who needed assurance that she was really there with him. So Takiko obliged him, opening her mouth to him and nearly unraveling with the pleasure she was feeling. So wrapped up in the feel of his lips that she hardly realized when she was carefully lowered to the bed.
A surge of realization rose within her as the feel of the mattress hit her back.
Takiko had fulfilled her obligations as the Priestess of Genbu. She had summoned the God. Her father was gone, she had no reason to return to her world. And she was no longer struck by the illness that had taken her mother from her.
For the first time in a very long time Takiko realized that she had a future that she could look forward to. She no longer had to think about all the things she needed to accomplish before her life was cut short. She could live.
She could truly live her life with Uruki now.
Takiko was his Empress. She had meant it when she pledged herself to him in marriage and with that she realized something else.
Takiko could finally be his wife in every way. Well and truly married. There was nothing more that she wanted in that moment. Tomorrow there would be so much to handle. Tomite, Hikitsu, and Namame's funeral services, dealing with the remains of the Qu-dong army, and other such things.
But Takiko wanted tonight to be for them. They had put aside their love for the sake of her role as priestess and his as warrior. They had pledged themselves to each other in marriage for eternity but knew that she wanted to be with Uruki in every possible way. So with that thought she gently broke their kiss to reach up and stroke his cheek. "Limdo... Tonight... Will you please make me your wife?"
There was a moment of mild surprise that flashed in his eyes before a warm understanding flooded them. Uruki took one of her hands in his and pressed it to his heart. "You aren't going to reject me again?" He lightly teased, referencing their first night together in Tewulan.
Takiko blushed. "No. Never again. I'm yours forever." Her voice was firm with her promise and his heart melted to hear it.
He leaned down and pressed his forehead to hers. "Yes... From now on... I will never let anyone take you away from me."
He captured her lips in a kiss then, a soft sweet thing that sent shivers running down her spine. She lost herself in what came next, holding onto the man she loved, giving him all of herself, free of regrets. He was gentle, his touches lovingly cautious. He handled her like she was the most precious thing in the world to him, his eyes boring into hers with such intensity that she felt completely overcome. As they sealed their union he was conscious of her pain, kissing away her tears, joining their hands and tenderly whispering her name. She cried out his in turn and it made him shudder with feeling to hear it. The pain had been there but it hardly mattered as she allowed herself to be fully lost in the experience and in the man she loved.
When they lay together afterwards she looked at him, at the way his eyes watched her, so clearly in love, and she felt a single tear fall down her cheek as she whispered to him.
"Uruki... Thank you."
He smiled warmly and soundly kissed her, wrapping her in the warmth of his embrace.
"I love you Takiko."
.x:X:x.
Weeks passed. Time saw Beij-jia and Qu-dong sign a peace treaty a month after the summoning of Genbu. Takiko and Limdo began settling into their roles as rulers, the people of Bei-jia furiously devoted to both of them. Limdo was a proper emperor, doing everything he could for his people and earning the title as 'The Emperor seldom on his throne'. Takiko spent her days learning and working to rebuild with the people. However, Limdo made sure he was home every night to be with his wife. It may have been because of the promise he had made to her, to never allow her to feel lonely the way she had while she had lived in the other world with her family but those close to the pair knew that it was because of how much he feared losing her again. Many who met and spoke with the Priestess and Emperor were humbled by the sheer love the two had for each other.
One night the two slept in bed peacefully after a passionate night together, Takiko cuddled into Limdo's side when they both woke with a start.
"Takiko?"
His wife looked at him, her eyes distant. "The mountain where we met..."
"Mt. Heilishen..."
"We need to go there."
"You dreamed of it too?"
"Yes. Something important is there."
The very next day Takiko and Uruki travelled with a procession of soldiers to the mountain of Heilishen, the place where they met for the first time in the Universe of the Four Gods.
Takiko, dressed thickly in furs and a hat, walked up to the stone where Limdo the Wind Slasher had been chained when she had first come to Bei-Jia. She placed her hand on the stone and closed her eyes, reliving the memories from that fateful encounter. It was a single point in time that determined the course of the rest of her life. She remembered her feelings of fear, surprise, and wonder that she experienced upon meeting the bandit that she now called husband. She looked back on that meeting with a deep fondness. A weight on her fingers made her look up and Limdo stood over her, his hand on hers, his smile matching hers. They shared an intimate moment, remembering.
A voice spoke in the windy silence. "Thank you both for coming."
Takiko and Uruki turned to face-
"Tai-Yi-Jun!" Takiko happily called but Uruki immediately fell into a bow. "Tai-Yi-Jun. Heavenly King."
The God put out a hand. "Enough. There is no need for that. Your journey was a success. Now follow me."
The pair traded looks before Uruki stood and took Takiko's hand in his and laced their fingers. Even through their gloves Takiko could feel his warmth. They followed Tai-Yi-Jun toward a wall of the mountain where a large door had suddenly appeared.
"When did this get here?" Takiko asked, looking around as the door creaked open and Tai-Yi-Jun led the way in.
The God sounded smug as they revealed that they had created the cave that they entered, citing their reason as the sheer annoyance from the two that wouldn't stop being so loud which only confused the two until they stepped through another door and into the inner sanctuary.
Takiko gasped with a scream while Uruki happily called out to them. "Tomite! Hikitsu!"
"Takiko!"
Takiko ran straight for them and Tomite stepped as if to grab her but when she slowed to hug him she went right through him. "What?"
Tomite looked embarrassed as Takiko seemed to realize what happened. "Tomite..."
Uruki walked to Hikitsu who held out his hand and Uruki's fingers made no contact with them as he reached for his friend. "You two are-"
"They are spirits." Tai-Yi-Jun informed them from over Uruki's shoulder. "They both refused to return to the stars. Since that is their decision I have given their souls an important task."
"Takiko, Uruki..." Tomite's voice was laced with regret. "We couldn't just leave. We died before the battle ended..."
Hikitsu finished his thought for him. "We were also concerned. We were not able to stay with the Priestess until the end. We wanted to see for ourselves that out prayers reached her." Hikitsu looked at Takiko. "We needed to know for sure if we had found a way to make the impossible happen. For you."
Tears had long since formed in Takiko's eyes. She reached out to the two and for an instant in time it was as if she was able to hold their hands in her own. "Tomite, Hikitsu. Thank you. From the bottom of my heart. I've wanted to thank you both since I opened my eyes again. I can never repay you two for what you did."
"Nor I." Uruki injected with a smile. "I can't believe you made it happen. You brought Takiko back to us."
"Not exactly."
Tai-Yi-Jun floated into their field of vision. "It wasn't just the warriors that made that happen. As you know, the power of the star-life stone originally had no effect on the Priestess. That is because she was a being from another world. However, when she died the Priestess stopped belonging to either world. With nothing keeping her tethered to her own world now, she was able to be revived in this one and live out her days here. Through the power of the Star-life stone and with the prayers of the people to Genbu, the God was able to use that power to fuel the Priestesses final wish. And that is why you are here today." They finished, gesturing to Takiko.
"So does that mean I can never return to the other world?" Takiko asked, causing Uruki to look at her in concern.
"Takiko?"
She shook her head at him. "Don't worry. I'm not trying to go back." She quickly reassured. "I just want to know for certain."
Tai-Yi-Jun studied Takiko. "You cannot return. You and your father were tied together. He anchored you. When he killed himself he severed whatever tie you had there. Your rebirth means that you are well and truly part of this world now."
Uruki seemed to sag in relief but he was still a little worried with what he saw as Takiko's apparent disappointment. But his wife seemed to notice his conflicted feelings because she buried herself into his side and hugged him. "I didn't mean it like that Uruki. I wasn't trying to go back. I just wondered because there are still people there that I know cared for me. But my place is here with you. Forever."
Uruki returned her embrace, short though it was as she turned from him to face the spirits of their fallen comrades. "Regardless, I'm so thankful to you Tomite, and you Hikitsu." Takiko fought back tears as she looked over at them. By their matching gazes, it was clear how much her words meant to them. "You both believed in me. You both were so brave and fought for us. I could never have done any of this without you."
"It was you who saved us, Takiko." Tomite told her, Hikitsu agreeing with him once again. "Yes, he's right. You did more than you will ever know for us and for Bei-Jia. So please allow us to return the favor."
At her confused look Hikitsu pointed at her chest where the necklace used to locate the warriors of Genbu rested. "The necklace."
"My necklace?"
Uruki looked over at Tai-Yi-Jun. "I thought it was just for finding the warriors?"
The God bobbed up and down in the air, their expression as enigmatic as ever. "During the summoning ceremony, the necklace became like a talisman and drew the Priestesses' strong will into it." Tai-Yi-Jun bounced on nothing to the center of the room where an ornate pedastal stood. "It will be placed here as an offering, known as the Shentso-pao for the priestesses of Suzaku, Seiryuu, and Byakko, who will appear later."
"Please let us look after it Takiko." Tomite implored, his face determined. "Let us protect your will, no matter what."
Takiko happily removed the necklace from her neck, holding it out to them. "Of course you can have it. I'm entrusting this to you. I know you will protect it no matter what."
Uruki looked over at Hikitsu. "Also, in return for your service, you both know that I will take care of your relatives, Borate, Ayla, and all our people."
"Uruki..." Both Tomite and Hikitsu looked at the Emperor with a measure of pride that made Uruki choke with emotion. "Live Uruki. Until you join Soren and us again someday... live a long life." They gestured to the two lovers. "Both of you, live each day like it is your last. And rule Beij-Jia. Together."
"Tomite, Hikitsu... we promise."
As they made to leave the cave Tomite called out to Uruki one last time. "Take care of her." He told him through the crack of the door before it shut, his voice carrying with it all the love he had always harbored for the priestess.
Uruki and Takiko stepped out into the sun, the smell of spring in the air. Takiko squeezed his hand and turned towards him. "Uruki...I hope we get to see many more springs together."
Her husband smiled at her. "We will. Because this Spring is for you. This spring and every one that comes after are because of you." He leaned down and kissed her softly. "You did it Takiko."
Takiko leaped into his arms and he lifted her up high, laughing with her before pulling her in to share a deep kiss together under the sun of the first great spring of Bei-Jia.
.x:OWARI:x.
My writing style is not sophisticated enough to properly capture the beauty of this series but I was feeling so frustrated by the lack of good fics for Uruki and Takiko that I felt the need to make my own ending. I'm also incredibly rusty. I tried to keep this fic as canon-compliant as possible because I think those make for better alternate endings when they are still deeply tied to the source material but I really don't know how well I succeeded here. This was the fic that wouldn't leave me alone until it was written which was a nice feeling since I haven't been able to write fanfiction in a good while. I am glad I was able to get this out there though I will probably go back and clean it up in the future.
Also how has no one else mentioned Die with a Smile practically being Uruki and Takikos theme song? lol. I know they have the Song of the Gondola but when I was sitting and watching videos last week and I actually listened to Die with a Smile I instantly screamed OMG URUKI AND TAKIKO. I am obsessed.
I used the translations for names and locations from the official english translation of the books. Since I read the books and the fan scanlations constantly I am always interchanging names like Limdo/Rimudo, Bei-Jia/Hokkan, Qu-dong/Kutou, Tai-Yi-Jun/Taiitsukun, etc. I didn't realize I did this until I started writing this and I noticed that I was using both versions randomly everywhere. Lol.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. And cheers to Yuu Watase because Genbu Kaiden is hands down my favorite Shoujo manga of all time. I will always pray for more Uruki and Takiko in my life because I love them so much.