Reviewers:

fanfiction addiction fan: Thanks for reviewing, you're the only one in a long time, so thanks very much! Coz your review made me write the rest of this (unfortunate) short chappie. Hope you enjoy! I'll update as soon as I can!

Chapter 8

"Meeeeeeemmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm." Groaned a rather disgruntled looking Derek. He scrunched up his nose and chewed on the end of his pencil. It was a rather bad habit that he and his father shared, actually.

He threw the pencil down in frustration, and rubbed his hands over his face. He couldn't seem to concentrate on the extended Maths homework, that Miss Saberhagan had issued him earlier than she'd intended. The questions were challenging yes, but he just couldn't concentrate for some reason.

Well okay so there was a reason. It was what Miss Saberhagan had asked him today during the time between class and recess. And the boy was rather puzzled about it.

FLASHBACK

"24 divided by 2 is 12." Derek was mumbling to himself. His pencil furiously scribbling on the paper in front of him. Copying down (and completing) the maths problems from the board.

"14 take 7 is 7"

BRRRRINNNNGGG!

Derek jerked his head up at the sudden noise of the bell, realising that he'd finished all the problems.

"Okay people." Miss Saberhagan called out over all the commotion. "I want those problems done for homework

A few grunts and groans were murmured.

"Do we ha-ve to?" whined Malik from his seat, a pained expression on his face.

"Si."(1) She said simply, never looking at him.

"This sucks." He sulked, starting to collect his things.

"So does grading 20 science, 16 English and 20 maths tests, during my lunch hour today." She retaliated, smirking at the child. "But I still have to do it. As you have to do that work. So work with me hear Malik. Please?"

Malik just emitted a small smile and walked out the door, of the nearly empty classroom.

Derek sat there mutually, slowly putting away his books in his desk neatly. Before Miss Saberhagan's voice interrupted him.

"Derek, could I talk to you?"

Derek stared at her' a puzzled expression on his face.

"Umm…Sure." He blinked

Chloe took the seat in front of him, sitting there in silence, just looking at him for a few minutes.

Derek adverted his eyes down to his desk, feeling a little uncomfortable under her intense gaze. Finally he looked at her.

"You wanted to speak to me?"

Miss Saberhagan jerked her head a little and plastered an apologetic smile on her face.

"Oh, yes. Well actually I wanted to ask your advice"

Derek nodded, prompting her on.

She smiled again and cleared her throat. "Well…you see I have this friend that has these tickets to the Duel Monster's tournament this Saturday. Now she has this…person she sees at her work everyday, and she wants him to go. Only she's not sure how to ask him, or even if he wants to go with her. There's an age difference between them, so she's only looking for a friendship. But she's still not sure. What should she do?'

Derek sat there quietly. Taking everything in, he understood what she was saying, because he wasn't stupid. She wanted him to go with her.

Derek looked her in the eye, frowning a little before answering. "I believe that she should just ask him straight out…" he smiled a little before continuing. "Instead of speaking to him in code."

Miss Saberhagan returned his smile, and waved a hand. "Well, would you like to go? They're 3rd row seats. Not the best I realise, but better than the back, no?"

Derek glanced down at the table shyly, before looking up.

"I'd love to!" he beamed, his face lighting up, looking more child-like than it probably ever had.

"Excelente!(2)" Chloe beamed a dimple foaming in her right cheek. She nodded, before getting up and walking towards her desk.

Derek just sat there. Grinning like a madman.

END FLASHBACK

The young Kaiba rubbed his eyes. Even if he worked up the courage to ask his father if he could go. He knew that he couldn't. Seto would just turn him away as usual.

"Unless…" thought Derek slyly

LATER THAT DAY

"Now, Mr Kaiba, if you'll just follow me to the control room. I'll take you to your father." Spoke the man, in the white lab coat.

Derek nodded, and instinctively gulped. Perhaps while his father was working wasn't the best time to ask him about the tournament, but he had no other choice. If his father wasn't distracted enough when he asked him. He wouldn't let him go.

Derek would rather face the wrath of an angry, distracted Seto, than the inquisitive mind of a content, steady Seto.

They reached the control room, they exchanged nods, and then Derek stepped in, while the technician stayed at the door.

"Father…?" Derek spoke quietly looking at the hunched figure of Seto, bent over the control panels, muttering to himself while pressing multiple buttons, and entering coding systems.

"Father?" Derek spoke a little louder, hoping to get the man' attention.

"What is it?" Seto harshly, snapped, not looking at the boy.

"I…I was, well…I was wondering…"

"What?" the man spoke again, possibly with more anger than before.

"I…was wondering, if I could…have permission…"

"SYSTEM FAILURE, SYSTEM FAILURE." Stated the computer, earning a rather loud and angry curse from the elder Kaiba.

Seto whirled around and faced his son.

"Look." He spat. "Whatever it is, you can have permission for, just GET OUT AND LET ME GET BACK TO WORK!" he roared, returning to the control panel, muttering curses all the way.

"Thankyou!" Derek said quickly and ran out of the room, with a big goofy grin on his handsome face.

(1) Means "yes" in Spanish. She'll be speaking a lot of Spanish from now on. But I'm only getting it out of a dictionary, if anyone has any tips or swear words for me (in Spanish of course!) please review!

(2) excellent