bopdog111: This is the fic we had talked about at the end of Chapter 11 of 'Legacy of the Pendulum'.
Ulrich362: True, the "Real" life Atem Sakaki should have lived... or I guess technically it wouldn't be Atem in this case.
bopdog111: He will go through a different name but this is still the same guy.
Ulrich362: Exactly, so let's see what happens. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Yu-Gi-Oh! Arc-V or Persona 4 but we own the OCs!
Kuroki sighed tired placing a hand on his face. He was tired from all day at work at his house at Inaba but now it's all over with. It's hard being a Detective. On one end he can travel to different, and new locations while delivering justice onto people who are some of the most horrible scumbags he ever caught. On the other it separated him from his previous wife though there still good friends, and can be exhausting.
But his family was proven that his job was worth it going home everyday seeing Naoto's smile, and her excitement to being a Police Detective like he is one day is so cute that he laughs when she tries to be serious like he is. His new wife, Karin, well she's no Ashley but someone he can definitely love on. He just felt Naoto needs a mother's love since he, and Ashley broke apart, and felt that Karin would be a close second for them which was proven right.
Now he's about ready to call it a night at home which Karin walking in to check on him peeked in seeing Kuroki stretching his arms while wrapping one around his arm raising it up showing he's exhausted.
"Dear, you're working too hard." Karin frowned. "Maybe we should take that vacation we were talking about, to could be good for Naoto too."
"I know, honey. Things had been getting more intensive the more this goes on. Too many people who do stupid shit cause they felt like it, or have ill-intentions." Kuroki said to her turning over to her, "The world although safe has pockets of an underworld that houses some of the most ill criminals, that I want to help put behind bars."
"I know, and I agree." Karin nodded.
Kuroki then stood up off his desk, "Well anyway I'm done for the night... It's not easy being a Detective, but now things are finally done."
Karin smiled hearing that. "Let's get to bed dear."
Kuroki nodded as they moved to get ready to exit-
Ring ring ring.
Kuroki's work phone on his desk started calling. Kuroki sighed in mild annoyance. "Who could that be?" Karin watches as he answers the phone, "Hello? Yeah, this is Kuroki Shirogane, why are you-" He started before freezing shocked about something, and then screamed, "WHAT THE HELL!?"
"Kuroki?" Karin asked in shock hearing that. "Dear what's wrong?"
"It's at where!?" Kuroki asked in the phone. He then nodded with a serious expression, "Okay I'll head over right away. Expect me in a few hours."
He hanged up before turning to Karin. "Sorry, Karin... that was a Police Station at Paradise City, the city I grown up in. It's something urgent that they called me for but not as a police officer."
"What's going on?" she asked nervously as unknown to both of them Kuroki's yelling had woken up his daughter who was listening at the door.
"It's Ashley." Kuroki explained to her. "They just informed me that she got involved in a case of arson while she, and her nephew were sleeping. The culprit was caught... and she's none other then her sister-in-law, Carol James."
"What?" Karin questioned in shock. "Are they ok?"
"I don't know they informed me they caught her, and are working to see if there condition is alright. I need to head over to check in." Kuroki said to them before kissing her forehead, "Karin go ahead, and get some sleep I'll be home late."
With that he gathered his Police belongings walking, and opened the door.
"Dad?" asked a small voice. "What's going on?"
Turning over he sees a little girl with blue hair was there. Kuroki sighed before asking gently, "Naoto, what did we talked about eavesdropping?"
"I remember, but a good detective has to use all her senses." Naoto said repeating something he taught her. "Plus... I got scared when you started yelling."
Kuroki sighed before he said to her, "It's your mother... your real mother. Her house got caught on fire with your cousin."
Naoto's eyes widened in fear hearing that.
"Don't worry I'm heading over right away to see if there okay. But I'll be home late." Kuroki knelled down kissing her forehead, "Now go back to bed Naoto, you need to go to school tomorrow."
She looked down but nodded before walking back to her room.
With that he walked out into his Police Cruiser, and sped off under the speed limit. After 3 hours of road he soon arrived where a house was burned down with a Fire Truck, an Ambulance, and several Police Vechicles were there as he pulled up exiting his car while a Detective noticing him walked over, "Detective Shirogane?"
"I received the call, where are they?" he asked quickly.
"Detective Campbell." the man introduced as he shakes Kuroki's hand. "We checked all over the house. We found Ashley while you were away but... she was still in bed when we found her."
His eyes widened before he frowned. "I see... and have you confirmed cause of death?"
"Might've due to lack of oxygen or incinerated." Campbell answered before then saying, "We did managed to find your nephew before he joined her." He pointed behind Kuroki where he turned around seeing a unconscious brown haired boy being loaded in a ambulance truck. "Unconscious by the lack of oxygen caused by the fire. But upon closer inspection his body was covered in scars."
Kuroki's eyes widened hearing that before turning to the boy. "And... the culprits?"
"We got her locked in a police car." Campbell pointed to one car which holds a really irritated woman in handcuffs in the back seat.
Kuroki frowned but nodded at that. "Keep me informed of everything she says, I need to go to the hospital."
They nodded as Kuroki walked out entering his police car following the ambulance entering the hospital arriving at a room where they hold the boy. Kuroki sat in the waiting room before taking out his phone to let Karin know what was going on.
Ring ring ring.
"Shirogane Estate?" was Karin's tired voice.
"Karin it's me." Kuroki told her. "I'll have to stay a bit longer than I thought, Ashley... Ashley didn't make it and James is in critical condition in the hospital... it isn't just burns though, he's badly scarred."
"Scarred? Like something happened to him before the fire?" Karin asked shocked hearing that.
"Yes, and I have a feeling I know what that something was." Kuroki answered. "I'm going to stay with my nephew until he wakes up, if I'm not back... try to explain what's going on to Naoto ok?"
"Right. Be careful Kuroki." Karin answered with a nod.
"I will be." he smiled before hanging up and sighing. "Now... to wait and hope he's ok."
It had been a couple of hours before later a doctor entered the room, "Detective Shirogane?"
"Yes?" he asked getting up.
"It was quite a bit of work but your nephew will survive. But with closer examination there are lots of scars on his body that seemed to be years old." the doctor explained to him.
Kuroki frowned. "I see, may I see him?"
The doctor nodded gesturing him to follow. Kuroki nodded following the doctor. They arrived as the doctor opened the door where Kuroki walks in seeing his nephew had covered himself in the hospital blanket shivering.
"Oh James..." Kuroki frowned walking over to him and very gently taking his hand.
Hearing that his nephew slowly brought down the cover allowing Kuroki to see his scared face.
"James? My name is Kuroki Shirogane... I was married to your aunt." Kuroki told him softly.
"A-Auntie Ashley's... husband?" his nephew asked before shaking his head, "M-My name... is not James."
"What is your name then?" Kuroki asked softly.
He looked down, "I... I don't have one."
Kuroki frowned having a feeling why he'd think that. "What would you want your name to be then?"
His nephew gave thought before then suggesting, "Atem?"
"Atem?" Kuroki asked. "Alright, well Atem my family is going to be moving soon, but if you'd like you can come with us. I'm sure Karin would be happy to adopt you."
"Karin?" his nephew, Atem, asked confused.
"My wife. Your aunt and I loved each other but due to my job we had to move frequently… she just couldn't do that so we separated on good terms." Kuroki explained.
"You can get married more then once?" Atem asked surprised.
"Well, yes if you get a divorce for example." Kuroki explained.
Atem nodded hearing that, "Are you... are you gonna hit me?"
"Of course not." Kuroki smiled.
The doctor walked in asking, "Detective Shirogane?"
"Yes?" Kuroki asked turning to the doctor.
"We have a man at the lobby claiming to be the father of the patient." the doctor explained which Atem widen his eyes quickly covering himself back up, "He's being really difficult sir, can you please do something about it?"
Kuroki nodded. "I'll be right back Atem."
With that he walked to the lobby. When he arrived he sees a man clearly drunk was stumbling his way passed security, and staff yelling at them demanding to see his son.
"You need to leave." Kuroki told the man.
"Who the fuck are you?" the man slurred glaring at Kuroki.
"Kuroki Shirogane, your sister's ex-husband and I would advise you leave now." Kuroki told him calmly.
"Who do you think you are? The law?" the man glared before tried taking a swing at Kuroki in his drunken rage.
Kuroki caught his fist and twisted it behind his back. "Yes, I'm a detective who's worked closely with the police on numerous occasions and you just attempted to assault me. You're under arrest."
"Let me go! I demand you let me go!" the man yelled trying to break himself free.
"Quiet!" Kuroki snapped before turning to the receptionist. "Call the police."
"Right away." the receptionist nodded calling the police.
Later the police arrived had drove the drunk man off to the police station as Kuroki sighed and walked back to his nephew. He walked back in to see his nephew under the cover. Kuroki walked over and gently rubbed his forehead at that.
Later...
Kuroki was driving back to Inaba along with Atem so that he and Karin could officially adopt him into their family.
"Uh..." Atem tries to start a conversation, "U-Uncle Kuroki?"
"Yes Atem?" Kuroki asked.
"W-What's Inaba like?" Atem asked him.
"It's a peaceful little town, there's a hot springs inn there but aside from that there isn't anything too exciting." Kuroki answered. "Actually, we'll be living Inaba soon, my job needs me to move often like I told you before."
"What do you do?" Atem asked.
"I'm a detective, basically it means I help the police solve crimes." Kuroki answered.
"Auntie Ashley... had told me you go to all sorts of places." Atem admitted to him.
"I do." he nodded.
Soon they arrived at Inaba getting at the Parking Lot of the Shirogane Estate which Atem widen his eyes seeing how big it is. Kuroki smiled offering his hand. "Want to meet Karin and Naoto?"
Atem looked at his hand before asking, "Are they nice?"
"They're very nice." he smiled.
Atem looked before slowly taking Kuroki's hand. He smiled as they walked into the estate together. "Karin, Naoto?"
They smell a delicious aroma wafting in the house. They walked in the kitchen where Karin was busy cooking over the stove.
"Karin, we're back." Kuroki smiled walking up to her.
"Hey dear." Karin smiled turning to him, "How did it go at Paradise City?"
"I'll tell you at dinner." Kuroki answered. "But I thought you'd want to meet Atem, Ashley's nephew."
Karin looked over at Kuroki's side seeing the boy in front of her looking at her.
"He... hello." Atem whispered nervously.
Karin smiled knelling down to him, "Well hello there. My name is Karin, I'm your uncle's wife. I'm not like your aunt, Ashley, but I promise that I will take care of you like how she does."
Atem looked at her before tearing up and hugging Karin. "Auntie... Ashley..."
He just broke down and started sobbing. Karin softly hugged him back rubbing his back with a soft smile. Kuroki then walked out calling, "Naoto! Come down!"
She blinked walking down. "Dad, who's crying?"
Kuroki gestured over as she sees Atem in Karin's arms crying while the woman softly rubs his back with a comforting smile. Naoto's eyes widened as she ran over. "Are you ok?"
Atem softly turns his head seeing Naoto with tears in his eyes. Frowning she got him a tissue. "Here."
He looked before softly taking the tissue softly wiping his eyes, "T-Thank you." He then looked at her asking, "Who are you?"
"My name is Naoto Shirogane, I help my father on some of his cases." Naoto answered.
"Naoto is Ashley's daughter." Kuroki explained. "Your cousin."
"Auntie Ashley's... daughter?" Atem asked shocked staring at Naoto.
Naoto nodded. "My mom's name is Ashley."
Atem stared before surprising Naoto with a quick hug. Naoto was pretty surprised from this before she felt Atem trembling, and felt her shoulder getting wet. She slowly hugged him back. "It's ok now."
Atem cried out more at this sobbing on her shoulder. Kuroki and Ashley just watched before exchanging a glance and nodding.
Ulrich362: Well, his name will still be Atem and despite tragically losing his aunt it seems Atem will have a happy life with Kuroki and his family.
bopdog111: But that's only one of the Tarot Cards, Igor foretold. We haven't yet seen the Moon, or the Hanged Man's own effects yet.
Ulrich362: True, or what fate has in store beyond that. So next up... the adoption and... another tragedy?
bopdog111: Yeah. Be sure to review!