We have reached the final part of this story. Sorry it has taken a while to post, but the story evolved a bit from my original draft and I really was not happy with what I had written, and had to re-write it. Then I was struck with that dreaded affliction... writers block. But I have managed to force my way through it and here is the result. I'm not 100% happy with it, but I hope you all like it.

Chapter 12.

Saying Goodbye Is Never Easy.

Five Days Later:

It was Monday morning, and Yugi and Anzu were sitting at the table eating breakfast, discussing the week ahead. The cut on Yugi's shoulder was healing nicely –the stitches would be out in a couple of days– and the bruising around his eye was starting to turn a sickly yellowy mauve.

As they ate and chatted, Atem hovered in the background, listening to them talking while he surveyed the work going on in the kitchen area. Over the weekend, Jonouchi and Honda had helped Yugi rip out the old kitchen units. He got on great with Yugi's two best friends and was relieved that they were not too bothered by his ghostly status. Unable to actually do a great deal to help with the physical work, he had taken it upon himself to supervise them. He just wished he could be more involved, rather than having to watch others work, but his attempt at wielding a hammer had almost resulted in Honda getting concussion.

"I should get going," said Yugi, glancing at the new wristwatch he had bought to replace the one fried by Atem. "I've got a meeting at nine and I don't want to be late." He stood up and stretched.

"What time is Jonouchi coming over?" asked Anzu. She could have sworn he said he would be here around eight.

Yugi chuckled. "Mai got back from Europe last night."

Anzu rolled her eyes. "That's no excuse to be late," she said jokingly. Laughing, Yugi leaned over and kissed her.

"Don't give him a hard time when he does get here. Don't forget, he's doing our kitchen for half of what it would cost if we hired a kitchen fitter." They still had to pay a plumber and the electrician, but Jonouchi had significantly reduced their costs by offering to install the units and do the painting.

"Well, I hope he arrives soon," Anzu grumbled. "I need to get ready to leave for rehearsals by ten." Her arm was still in plaster, but she was at least able to be involved, and was not going to lose her job, luckily.

"Stop worrying, you two," said Atem. "I'll let him in if he's late." Answering the front door was something he had mastered a long time ago.

Yugi smiled at him and nodded. "Thanks, Atem."

"You're a star," Anzu added.

There was a knock at the door.

"That'll be him now!" Anzu and Yugi both said at the same time.

Atem had already rushed to answer the front door. It was Ryou Bakura.

"Oh!" Ryou exclaimed excitedly upon seeing the ghost answer the door. "Good morning Atem. Are Yugi and Anzu here? I have some important news for you all."

"We're here. Will it take long?" asked Yugi. "I've got to go in a minute –meeting at nine," he explained.

"I'll be quick," said Ryou. "I came as soon as I got the news, and wanted to give it to you in person rather than on the phone. Firstly, the results of your DNA tests finally came back, and… I can confirm that Yugi's grandfather is Atem's father." Yugi and Atem looked at one another with knowing smiles. "Secondly," Ryou continued, "The police have charged Marik with murder. He's likely to spend the next twenty five years behind bars. They have also charged his parents with aiding and abetting, but since his father's health is poor and his step mother was under duress, they will probably get off fairly lightly."

Atem nodded. "I do not wish them to suffer. They were always afraid of their own son."

"There's more," said Ryou. "The police in Egypt contacted your living relatives and they want your body returned."

Atem's eyes went wide. "Who?" He had a feeling….

"You had an Uncle Akhenadin?" Atem's shadows flickered in response. "It was him they contacted."

"I hardly knew the man," said Atem, with an edge of distaste. "He despised me. Said my mother should have had me terminated as a bastard child brought shame upon our family."

"Oh, Atem," Anzu said sympathetically. "That was a horrible thing for him to say." What a nasty man that uncle must be. She wished she could give Atem a hug.

"I will talk to Grandpa. I'm sure we can deal with your uncle," Yugi promised.

"Thank you, Yugi." Atem was pretty sure his father, and Yugi, would put his wicked uncle in his place. "Did the police contact my old friends, Mana and Mahad? I would like them to know what happened to me all those years ago."

"Mana was the woman who originally reported you missing," stated Ryou. "I don't know. I can ask, if you wish?"

"Yes. Please. You already know of my relationship with Mana. Mahad is Mana's older brother, he was like an older brother to me as well. I regret not telling them where I was staying. It would be nice if someone could find out how they are doing since my… disappearance all those years ago."

"Of course. I will see what I can find out," said Ryou.

Yugi cleared his throat. "Really sorry guys. But I do need to go." There was an edge of urgency in his voice.

"Sure." Anzu kissed his cheek. "We'll sort things here." She winked at him.

"Thanks," he replied, kissing her back.

Grabbing his backpack, he turned to leave. "See ya Kura. Are you free for lunch? We can talk some more. And bye Atem. Please don't worry about your uncle, he's no match for Grandpa!" With a wink, he hurried out of the door.

"I'll meet you for lunch at twelve thirty, Yugi!" Ryou shouted back.

::::::::::::

Yugi and Ryou met for lunch in their usual coffee shop, which was convenient to where they both worked, and discussed Atem.

"It's easier to talk about him when I know he isn't listening," said Yugi.

"I know. It's very sad having to talk about the people he left behind in front of him."

"Yeah, it upsets him when he thinks about how he broke off all contact when he came here, but at least he's getting really good at not chucking ornaments about, or rattling doors and banging ceilings when he gets stressed."

Moving the conversation along, Ryou said, "I have a phone number for Akhenadin, if you wanted to ring him?"

Yugi pulled a face. "Atem doesn't like him. We can't let him take his body."

"That's why you or your grandfather should speak to him." Ryou had an idea. "Perhaps Atem's old friend Mahad might be willing to organise things their end instead?"

"Maybe," said Yugi. "But I think Grandpa will want to deal with it." The last thing Yugi wanted was a fight over who should take Atem's body back to Egypt.

::::::::::::

That evening, Sugoroku came round for dinner.

"After you called, I spoke to the coroner's office," Sugoroku told Yugi. He turned to Atem. "They have accepted the DNA evidence proving I'm your father. I asked that they release your body to me, rather than your uncle, and they have agreed." He swallowed. "I know this is sensitive, but I wanted to ask you what your wishes for your funeral are?"

Atem chuckled. "It's not often a dead man gets to discuss his funeral arrangements, but I have been giving it some thought. There is very little left for me in Egypt, but here I have found a family who care for me, and whom I care for. I spoke to Anzu earlier, and she explained the customs here." He looked at Anzu and she smiled encouragingly. "I was wondering… if you might arrange a Japanese funeral for me, here in Domino." It was far better than his remains being taken back to Egypt, where no doubt his awful uncle Akhenadin would try and take control of them. He wouldn't put it past his wicked uncle to just drive out into the desert and throw his bones into a wadi.

"Yes! If that is your wish?" Sugoroku was delighted. He would much rather have his second son's ashes properly interred in the family plot at the local shrine.

"It is." Atem smiled at them.

"Right!" Sugoroku rubbed his hands together. "Let's phone your wicked uncle."

As it turned out, Akhenadin was easy to deal with. Or perhaps it was the authority with which Sugoroku dealt with him. Atem had to smirk. All it had taken was for his father to say that if Akhenadin insisted on taking charge of transporting Atem's body back to Egypt, then he would be liable to pay for the flight, taxes and the burial. Of course, Atem had left no estate to cover the costs.

After muttering some fruity insults in Arabic, Akhenadin said that he could not care less if he never had to hear about his bastard nephew again, and hung up.

That left them free to make funeral arrangements as per Atem's choosing.

Yugi felt relief that Akhenadin was not going to get his hands on Atem. "Is there anyone in Egypt you would like us to invite?" he asked.

Yes, there was. "I would be grateful if you could invite Mana and Mahad?"

"Do you want them to know your soul has been stuck here all these years?" asked Yugi.

Atem had to think about it for a moment. Eventually, he shook his head. "No. By all means, tell them how I died, and that I was buried in the basement of this house, but it is probably best they do not know I'm a ghost. Besides.… I will be well on my way to paradise by the time they get here," he said flippantly. Everyone looked at him in alarm. He forced a smile. "I am dead, remember? I don't belong here."

Atem might have been talking in jest, but the call of the afterlife was to come quicker than he had anticipated. With each moment of closure, he had felt as if the chains binding him to this world had been dissolving. Suddenly there was now nothing holding him down.

He had hoped that the love he felt for, and from, his newly found family would be enough to allow him a little longer with them. But with the knowledge that Akhenadin had no say in his final resting place, a sense of calm had settled on his soul.

And knowing that Mana and Mahad were coming to Japan for his memorial service, warmed him. As much as he wanted to meet them, he did not really want to be here for his funeral and memorial services.

It was time to move on. He had dreamed of going to paradise, but now it was time to go he was secretly afraid.

He looked down at his hands. His palms were freckled with gold. He looked over at his father, Yugi and Anzu. They were eating their dinner, chatting. The scene was a reminder that he did not belong, especially since he could not sit down with them and eat. If he got too close they would all have to put on an extra jumper!

Atem hid his hands from their sight, hoping that he could at least have a few more hours with them.

But Anzu looked up at him. "Atem? Is something wrong?" He shook his head.

"No."

Yugi turned around and looked at him as well, "Are you sure? You look different; your hands are glowing," he said, pointing to them. Atem feigned ignorance.

"This?! Oh, it's nothing." He tried to remain stoic.

"I think the afterlife is calling you my son," said Sugoroku, trying not to cry. This should be a joyous moment. It meant that Atem would find peace. Was it wrong that he wanted his son's soul to remain here, with them? He knew it was a selfish wish – Atem died twenty five years ago and they had no right to try and keep him here.

"Yes. I believe it is," Atem replied sadly. However, despite the fear and sadness he was feeling, he also felt a strong urge to go. That was, until Anzu cried out.

"But you can't leave! We've only just got to know you!" She had tears staining her face. It seemed Ironic that only a few weeks ago she wanted him gone.

Yugi cuddled her, his own tears filling his eyes. "We knew this day would come when we…" he couldn't continue.

Only Sugoroku remained strong, on the outside at least. "My son," he said, standing in front of Atem. "I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you were a child." He would carry the blame for Atem's death to his grave. "If only I…"

"How many times do I have to tell you? Do not dwell on the 'if only'," Atem said sternly.

Sugoroku sighed, and nodded. "You're right. And we will meet again one day, probably sooner than you think," he said, chuckling and patting his chest. "Not sure how much longer this old ticker will keep going."

"Don't say that Grandpa!" said Yugi. "There's years in you yet!" He could not face losing his grandfather as well.

"Don't be too eager to join me," said Atem. "It might be awful on the other side." He may be joking, but his voice sounded uncertain.

As he spoke, a gentle breeze blew up, ruffling his hair. The flecks of gold and silver dust shimmering on his fingertips, spread over his entire being, making him a beautiful sight to behold.

Yugi gasped. "Atem! You're glowing!"

Anzu put her hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.

Atem looked down at his hands and shrugged. "I guess it's time for me to go." He wanted to cry. He wanted to shout at whatever Gods were doing this, and tell them he wasn't ready.

Instead, he winked. "Thank you for…. everything," he choked out, turning away so that they would not see his tears.

A golden doorway seemed to open out in the wall in front of him and he steeled himself, taking a step towards it.

"Atem! No!" Anzu cried out, clinging to a sobbing Yugi. Sugoroku stood, shaking, watching, as his son's body started to shimmer.

"I'm fine," said Atem, holding up his arm and giving them a thumbs-up.

He turned, shot a quick smile over his shoulder and then took a step forwards into the light. As he did so, he burst into a shimmer of golden stars, that floated and disappeared as quickly as they appeared, leaving nothing but the empty space in the kitchen where he had been standing.

::::::::::::

The funeral was an intimate family one –Mana and Mahad were also considered family.

Sugoroku had thought it proper to explain Atem to his other two children, Yugi's father and aunt.

They were upset, but not all that surprised. "Mum always suspected you were unfaithful," said Yugi's father. "But she kept quiet for the sake of our family's honour. That, and she loved you," There was an edge of accusation in his voice, and Sugoroku acknowledged it with a nod.

"I know it doesn't make it any better, but it was just the once, and it made me realise what a foolish, selfish man I was," he admitted.

There was a moment of silence. "Mum only told me of her suspicions a year before she died," said Yugi's aunt. "She forgave you, you know. All your gambling and drinking. You never being home for us growing up. Your affair."

"Sugoroku nodded sadly. "I let you all down. Especially Atem. If had been a better man and not given his mother a false name he might still be here."

"And I would have a younger brother." Mister Muto shook his head in dismay. "I always wanted a younger brother. I finally find out I had one and it's to late, we're burying him." He found it hard to feel an emotional attachment for a half sibling he never knew, but knowing what had happened to Atem after he came here in the hope of finding his father was heart-breaking.

He touched his fingertips to the photo that Yugi had placed on the memorial stone that had been placed on the small family plot within the shrine. "He's a Muto alright. He could almost have been your twin, Yugi."

Yugi wished more than anything that he was still here.

That's more or less it - there will be an epilogue.

I debated Atem being able to stay, bit it is supposed to be a bitter sweet story, and, as in canon YuGiOh, the afterlife is where he is meant to go at the end.