Changed for the Better

A/N: Here it is…the long-awaited conclusion. I would like to thank my readers who wanted me to continue with this story. This one's for you.

Summary: Ten years later, at the high school reunion, old friends are reunited. They may have changed on the outside, but they are still the same lovable people from high school.

Conclusion-Pt. 1

"Yoo-hoo, Yugi," called a bubbly Tea Gardener across a crowded auditorium.

The boy with the tri-colored coif looked around wildly for the voice calling his name. His amethyst eyes spotted a slender wrist waving madly several yards away. He gently pushed his way through the bustling crowd to reach his friend of fourteen years.

"Wow! Tea, you look fantastic," Yugi Mouto exclaimed happily as the two friends embraced. They were at their ten-year high school reunion. Neither one had seen each other since after their graduation.

"Gee thanks Yugi," Tea said with a slight blush. Shortly after graduation, Tea headed out to New York to dance with the American Ballet Academy in New York City. Once she graduated from the academy, she joined the American Ballet Company and had been dancing with them ever since. "You look fantastic."

Yugi smiled bashfully. Indeed, the small boy with eyes full of innocence had grown into a man with beautiful bronze skin and eyes full of wisdom. Instead of being among the shortest in the class, he was now at a roughly average height.

"Yugi! Tea! Over here!" Tristan Taylor shouted. He waved and shoved his way through the crowd.

"Tristan? Is that you?" Tea asked, tilting her head a bit to the side to try and catch a better glimpse of the brunet's face. Indeed, it was he. His hair had lost its pointy shape and had grown out so that it hung in his face. Over the years, Tristan had sprouted an impressive mustache and goatee.

"Oh my God," Yugi gasped. "Tristan, it is you! What the heck happened to you?"

"Eh, I was doing some self-evaluation. Guys, I traveled the world! I was just too lazy to shave or get a haircut," he joked.

Tea laughed and slapped her friend on the arm. "So where's Joey? I figured he'd be coming with you."

Tristan shrugged and combed his scraggly hair back with his fingers. "I dunno. I thought he would be here already." He sighed and blew the remaining strands of hair out of his face.

"No way! Tristan Taylor, is that you?"

Tea, Yugi, and Tristan turned around. The missing Joey Wheeler had shown up at last. Their eyes widened when they spotted the blond walking towards them. Joey's hair, no longer unkempt, was now slicked back professionally. Instead of jeans and a t-shirt, Joey wore a charcoal-gray suit.

"Joseph Wheeler, is that you?" Tristan replied.

Joey flashed his trademark grin and enveloped Tristan in a bear-hug. He did the same to Yugi and gave Tea a normal hug. "It's great to see you guys. How've you all been?"

The group relocated to a vacant table in a corner of the expansive auditorium. They exchanged tales of what adventures had befallen them over the years. They reminisced about the old days and joked about the many mishaps they had. They looked fondly upon the many duel tournaments they participated in. Neither of them dueled since high school, but nonetheless, the memories brought nostalgic smiles to their faces. They laughed as they recalled all of the people they had encountered along the way, including Yami, the soul who had once shared a body with Yugi.

"I still miss him, you know," Yugi said wistfully. He sighed and traced a circle on the tablecloth with his finger.

Tea reached across the table for Yugi's hand and clenched it reassuringly. "We all do Yug'." She sighed and rose to her feet, dragging Yugi up with her. "Come on, let's dance." Then she dragged Yugi, who seemed to show no signs of protest, to the dance floor.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I think I'll take a walk," Tristan said as he rose to his feet. Within seconds, he disappeared into the crowd, leaving Joey alone at the table.

Joey didn't seem to mind though. He smiled as he watched his friends dance without a worry in the world. For a moment, it seemed like they were in high school again. He leaned back in his chair and glanced at his wristwatch. He had been here for an hour, but it seemed like a lot less. He sighed and looked back at the dance floor.

"Anyone sitting here?" said a familiarly cold voice from behind Joey.

"Have a seat," Joey replied without looking back. When the owner of the voice took a seat beside Joey, he turned to face him. He smiled knowingly. "Well well well, I never thought I'd see Seto Kaiba at a high school reunion."

A/N: So, what do you think? I'm trying to decide if I should make this conclusion another story. Please review and tell me what you think. No flames please.