Title: Stranger things have happened

Author: Sakura Takanouchi

Summary: The lights are off, the camera's batteries died…but there's no lack of action when a lost bet throws two of the unlikeliest people together in one of the most extraordinary of circumstances.

Rating: T for bad humor, language, and romance

A/N: What was I thinking…? Oh yeah, I wasn't! I don't know what possessed me to write this, boring classes make the mind wander… Well Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Yeah, I took time off to buy up large sums of YGO stock, so I could finally say that I OWN YU-GI-OH, but I had to sell them all to buy the laptop that made this story possible. Now that's irony. I also don't own any thing that I make a pop culture reference to.

Chapter One: If I didn't love you, I'd kill you

"Mokuba, somewhere down the line, I've failed you…" Seto began, trying to control the conversation he'd been planning for all morning. The two had managed to meet up for Saturday lunch, a rare occurrence in both of their busy lives. Seto sighed; ever since they had both finished their education, they had gone their separate ways- so to speak. KaibaCorp had branched out from just simple games to electronics, a smart move on his part. When the world entered the age of technology, KaibaCorp had the biggest piece of the pie- and the profits. Even though their jobs occupied almost all of their lives, it would take more than that to get either brother to leave Kaiba mansion. Seto eyed his brother warily, waiting for his response.

Mokuba, the younger Kaiba by 5 years, was barely out of college when he started his own entertainment label. Even now, for this simple lunch in a small, upscale restaurant, he dressed flashier and more charming than his toned-down brother. Mokuba played with his napkin ring, noting Seto's choice in apparel. He didn't get it, it was June already and Seto never was seen in anything other than the classic long-sleeved button-down shirt, long slacks, and dark brown loafers.

"I went along with the label; it's even got affiliations with KaibaCorp's technology! Now you want to produce a m, m…" Words failed the stern CEO.

"Seto, have you ever seen a movie?" Mokuba asked defensively. "Have you ever been to a theatre? Do you know anything about making people laugh, making them happy?"

"KaibaCorp's products make people happy." Seto argued. He ran a hand through his thick chestnut hair; this was not going as he had planned. This whole encounter was a setup, he just knew it. Mokuba Kaiba had chosen this place, he said it was one of his 'favorites', Seto supposed it was nice enough. A little loud and too many windows for his taste, though. He'd reserve judgment until he tasted their food. But it gave his brother a home field advantage, and Seto was determined not to fund any more of his younger brother's passing whims.

"Why do you want to make a movie?" Seto asked resignedly. He had to admit, MKE (Mokuba Kaiba Entertainment- who was calling who vain now?) was taking off, and anything his label produced was bound to be a hit. Seto never had the time for the movies and video games that Mokuba loved so much growing up. Well, ok, the occasional video game did find its way into Seto's hands, but movies? Who had time for them?

"MKE needs to diversify; we need to make a summer blockbuster to boost our reputation as the hottest entertainment label," Mokuba replied with a determined pout. Seto nearly choked on an ice cube. "Blockbuster…you don't mean…"

"We've got the screenplay draft a week ago, for a very promising light comedy," Mokuba frowned at his brother's reaction.

"We're. talking. about. making. a. girl. movie. aren't. we?" Seto hissed, looking around at the other booths to make sure nobody was listening in to their conversation.

"Not if we cast the right people, and target it to all young people—Seto!" Mokuba whined at his brother's death glare. "This is not a chick flick." He whispered the last two words, trying to provoke a reaction from his brother. They fell silent as the waitress appeared, carrying two plates loaded with food. Mokuba bit into his sandwich eagerly, lettuce spilling out of the other side. Seto grimaced. Even at 21, he still hadn't learned to eat properly. His own plate of beef not going unnoticed, they both ate while their minds turned over this new, ahem…project.

"I think I know why you're so scared of this whole movie proposition," Mokuba began between bites of sandwich. Ignoring his brother's caustic remarks, he continued, "You don't remember the last time you ever saw a movie, you've never had a girlfriend to take to a movie, and face it, you don't even know the first thing about what it takes to make a movie." Mokuba chewed on a French fry smugly. "Go ahead, correct me if I'm wrong."

Seto glared at him and shoved a piece of meat into his mouth.

"I'm waiting for it."

Chomp chomp, chew, swallow. Repeat.

"You know," Mokuba said, leaning forward, as if he was about to reveal a surprise, "I'll bet that MY movie can make the top 3 at the box office, opening weekend. You know what; maybe I don't even want your help. You'd just take all the credit for our success and I'd be nowhere. I'll go to some other studio, like maybe…" he grinned wickedly. "Industrial L&M."

"You wouldn't!" Seto recoiled as if he'd been stung.

"You weren't going to help me out anyways," Mokuba replied calmly; a complete turn-around from the start of the meal. "We don't even need that much from you. We've already got sponsor support as well as all the production staff already hired I mean, it doesn't take that much time, effort, or money to film one small summer blockbuster. It's a very low-risk, high-reward venture." Mokuba crossed his fingers under the table. 'What Seto doesn't know won't hurt him…'

"I'll do it."

Mokuba's head jerked up. "Repeat please?" Just to make sure he hadn't fallen asleep.

"I'll help with the movie in any way I can," Seto grunted disagreeably. Hey, it was just for one summer; he could handle anything his kid brother cooked up. "But…"

Mokuba's eyes grew wide. Trying not to fidget nervously, he replied, "Sure, Seto, name your condition."

"If this movie doesn't debut at the top 3, what do I get?"

Mokuba hadn't thought about this. Sucking on his straw, he mused thoughtfully. "What do you want?"

"Let's name it as a favor- no rules, exceptions, anything- to be declared later," Seto stretched his arms, enjoying his brother's worried state. Mokuba looked…desperate for a moment, like getting Seto's help was his last resort.

"Deal," Mokuba said almost a little too quickly, his mind still whirling. "But you have to name the favor before the movie debuts."

Each of the brothers Kaiba finished their meal in relative silence, and each left the table thinking they had bested the other. Each got into their separate limo; Seto's to return him to meetings and hours of incomparable drudgery, and Mokuba's to drive him to his studio, on the other side of downtown. Really, they were just four blocks away.

MKE's studio took up a corner of another prominent building in the Domino skyline, prominently situated in what could be called the 'hip' quarter of town. Flanked by trendy stores, top restaurants, and several nightclubs, Mokuba felt right at home. His brother didn't understand the meaning of true creative genius like he did. He was a genius in his own right, but they just chose to display it in different outlets. Upon seeing his complex, Seto had refused to come in, instead always finding a different place to meet or talk. "That's because he's too damn uptight," he grumbled upon exiting the limo and staring at the grand entrance before him. 'One thing a Kaiba can do is know how to make an entrance.' Large plate glass windows seemed made to hold iTunes posters; the combination of bold red brick and colorful awnings on the upper floors provided a touch of whimsy. Large letters spelling MKE couldn't help but be seen from the street. Mokuba quickly entered the building through the revolving glass door.

He smiled appreciatively. Maybe it was pent up rebellion, but when he chose his own studio, he made sure it was as far from the sterile efficiency of the KaibaCorp building as possible. Overhead lighting illuminated the black stone floors, which stood out prominently from the purple paint that was said to match his eyes. Random people lounged on plush couches set against the walls, and Mokuba immediately approached the receptionist's desk that guarded the hallway with Mokuba's favorite feature: clear glass elevators that looked out over the atrium created by the elevators.

"Good afternoon, Reiko," Mokuba greeted his fair-haired receptionist kindly. "Any new messages for me?"

The woman responded by lifting up a huge stack of papers, mail, and other notes. "All in one morning?" Mokuba whined.

"And that doesn't even include the phone calls," the receptionist hid a smile by ducking her head, amused at her boss' obvious displeasure. Mokuba lifted up the heavy stack of paper and hauled it to the elevators, grumbling good-naturedly every step of the way.

His office was on the 10th and top floor that the company owned, using several floors below as soundstages, studios, and recording rooms. There was also space for the R&D, Publicity, Marketing, and Recruiting Departments on other floors. Mokuba couldn't help but smile as he entered his office. When he started MKE, he felt like finally he had found his calling. Too bad Seto didn't always see it that way. Mokuba must have gotten Seto drunk to agree to support the label during its inception, he couldn't fathom any other way that his brother let him start his own entertainment label. Seto was becoming near obsessed with finding his successor- at 26, he couldn't start any younger. Mokuba recoiled in realization, frantically shifting through his papers to settle his mind. 'He's going to make me give up MKE…that's the favor if this movie doesn't make it…'He immediately dumped the papers unceremoniously on his already cluttered desk and started frantically typing on his computer. 'I won't let Seto win this bet,' he decided, 'I'm going to try my hardest to make this movie a success!'

Eyeing the ever-growing pile of work on his desk, he sat down in his chair and sighed. That was when it hit him. A way to get around his debt- well, if the movie flopped (not even a possibility), but he wasn't taking any chances. 'Seto needs an heir…' his mind raced. 'I've got to find him a girl, someone he can take to our movie! Then he doesn't have to be breathing down my neck all the time.' He grinned. 'Hey, its summer, anything's possible…' A small icon in the bottom corner of his monitor blinked. He had a new email in his inbox. This was top priority.

'He's agreed to help in 'any way he can'…get everything ready, we're making a movie. Lights, Camera, Action!'

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Welcome back, fanfiction! To explain my absence…it took me awhile to truly 'unleash my imagination' I suppose. Now it's coming out too much, and leaving me to deal with finishing it! (When it rains, it pours…) I suppose this means I'm back with a vengeance, throwing some lovely humor your way. It's been awhile since I wrote something funny, I hope I'm not deluding myself…

Quick note: I chose Industrial Light and Magic (don't own it) because it's in San Fransisco and sounds like Industrial Illusions. Think Star Wars and Indiana Jones, people.

It's time for the I'm-too-lazy-to-do-research spiel: I don't know much about making a movie. There, I admitted it. If any of you readers know, please enlighten me with technical terms and stuff so I don't look (sound? Read? Come across as?) stupid, 'kay? Thanks bunches!

Thank you all for reading my story! I'll try and update soon (Stranger things have happened, right?)

Sakura Takanouchi