After many failed attempts to work out how to unpack the pack-away pushchair, Yugi settled with the tiring option of carrying Akemi for their visit to the museum. His heart skipped a beat when he found the child reins.

As he locked the front door with the spare key, Akemi standing at his feet obediently, he pondered on whether mentioning their outing to Anzu was a good idea. He was sure this was something she'd want to introduce to her daughter herself. But surely she'd understand his need to go immediately. This was Atem. His best friend, his tutor, his father figure while real dad father was away on business. All this didn't cover it. There had been so much more to their relationship, all still growing at the time of Atem's leave. So many unexplored feelings, so many conversations that should have happened but never did. Anzu knew this, didn't she? She'd understand... He should tell her. She should know her daughter is out the house.

Yugi and Akemi wondered over to the bus stop. Yugi was eager to move quickly, but kept his patient for the little legs that toddled about beside him.

Akemi seemed so happy to be out. She was gleeful, grinning away, watching her own feet as stumbled without falling.

Other than slowly his journey, caring for Akemi hadn't been too hard so far. She was an amusing child. She walked closely by him, determined to meet his pace, but was noisy the entire time. Even when the pair were on the bus, Akemi continued to babble, some words, but mostly nonsensical sounds. She was a very curious child, scanning every person in the bus as if she was a computer.

This was when it occurred to Yugi. Anzu didn't take Akemi outside often. She took her daughter into their garden, but Yugi could not remember a time Anzu had mentioned taking Akemi out for the day. Yugi assumed this was why she seemed to be in awe of her surroundings.

Less people were bothered by the loud child than expected. Two elderly woman watch her fondly, enjoying the sight of the curious toddler. Even so, Yugi's cheek were ruby red but the end of the bus journey. It was a relief to get off.

The bus stopped just one door down from the museum. Perfect! Nearly door to door service.

The site was clear, not a soul in sight. Yet, Yugi felt watched. Specifically but the large banners. His stomach twisted.

The banner above the museum entrance in large, proud, and dark.

A face cut in two. One half looked similar to Atem, how Yugi remembered him. It was a facial reconstruction of the Pharoah. Yugi knew immediately what was wrong with it. His skin was too tanned, his eyes seemed too small, and his chin was too defined. But it was him, recognisable.

The other half wasn't as pleasant. It was no prediction, no edited or created image. No. This was the Pharoah's mummy. Slack jawed, eyeless,

Yugi felt cold as he looked. He had never thought of the Pharaoh's long still body. He swallowed, before picking Akemi and walking up the steps towards the main entrance.

Through the glass, he could see Ishizu in conversation with a man in a grey suit. Forcing himself to stand straight, he knocked on the door, catching Ishizu's eye immediately. She smiled, coming over to open the door.

"Right on time, as I thought"

"I had no reason to hang around" Yugi smiled

Ishizu's gazed moved the young one in Yugi's arms.

"Didn't realise your little friend was a child"

Even so, she produced two name tags, both saying guest, and pinned them to Yugi's shirt and Akemi's dress.

"The exhibition is straight down there and to the left. Call me if you need me. I have many things to attend to, but you won't be a bother"

Yugi thanked her, before eagerly heading up in the direction of the exhibit.

His body felt heavy as he got closer. He began to wonder if this was the right thing to do. Should he really be looking into Atem's original life? Or should be trying to leave his past's past and move on? Would this really beneficial?

He didn't stop walking though. He was here and he needed to know.

The museum's air as strong with the smell of lavender. Yugi, whose eyes were stinging, assumed this to be an attempt to cover the smells of the artefacts. But it was over powering.

Akemi didn't seemed bothered by the lavender.

They turned a cover and immediately found themselves staring at cabinet after cabinet, all filled with precious gold. Septas, bowls, vases, and small statues were all perfect placed, each with his own sheet of details. A sign hung from the ceiling proudly reading 'The Tomb of the Lost King'.

Yugi gentled placed Akemi down on the floor, allowing her to move around freely. He kept hold of her harness lead.

Another sign, smaller than the other, caught Yugi's attention. A bright yellow arrow pointing right with 'tomb with way' written above it in capitals. Yugi followed, nearly dragging Akemi behind him, who quickly matched his pace with a clumsy run. The arrow was pointing to an arch way leading to a new room. Slightly nervous, Yugi stepped inside, followed by Akemi. The room shone with gold. Every little thing was encased in glass for protection.

A chariot stood proudly against the left wall. Yugi would see Atem riding in that. He remember him having knowledge on horses. A display unit help his canopy jars, all faces damaged with age. Atem's mask was proudly displayed near the rooms opening. Just like the real Atem, the face appeared stern. If a real face, it would have seemed to be in deep concentration.

In the centre of the room lay what unsettled Yugi the most. Resting in a case opposde to Atem's sarcophagus, was Atem himself. Hard, bony, still..

and dead.

While Akemi's ever curious eyes scanned the glittering room, Yugi slowly walked over to the mummy. It's face seemed even more contorted than on the picture. His stomach looked like a piece of sagging leather, caving into his hips. Yugi could no recognise this as his friend at all. To Yugi, he seemed burnt. Even so, he had the urge to introduce father and daughter, at the risk of a scare for the small girl.

"Akemi" he whispered to the girl, motioning her to come over. He scooped her up into his arms, balancing her on his hip as they slightly leaning over the 5,000, year old corpse.

"This is your daddy. Your real daddy" he said softly.

Akemi looked at the body with a dead stare, fiddling with the hem of her dress. She was calm, too young to understand the distress some could feel at the sight of a dead body. Of course, she didn't realise it was a corpse at all. She didn't know what death was just yet.

Her head turned to look at Yugi, beaming.

"Daddy" she sang, her hand lightly patting his shoulder.

Yugi didn't responding, still staring down at the dead pharaoh.

He felt blessed to have known him, but he couldn't stand the fact that Akemi would never know him herself. While he felt that, even now, he still need him, Akemi needed Atem more. He was her father, after all.

Sorry for the delay in updates! Hope you're all still reading.

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