Author's note: Oh gosh, how long was it since I updated this fanfic? No worries, I would never forget about this piece nor my readers. Thank you so much for sticking around!
P.S: I just heard of this new website called WattPad! It's just like , and I would love to upload some of my works there..however I have no idea how to use it! Is there anyone out there willing to help me out? Pretty please!

Mind Games

003: The Ball

Kagome took a deep breath and pursed her ruby red lips together before greeting Kikyo's arm candy. "It's nice to meet you, sir. I work in the financial accounting department of Taisho Inc." Kagome dipped her head a little and smiled at the prince. She had to admit, she was a tad jealous of her cousin. The man was handsome beyond measure. His broad shoulders towered over her, his eyes as gold and fiery as the sun. She could feel the amount of eyes that were glued to them increase, and whispers started to grow louder. Not knowing what to do, she awkwardly took a sip of her champagne and tried not to contort her face from the tart aftertaste. This is exactly why she couldn't attend formal parties, or go to business dinners-she wasn't the type to sip expensive champagne or taste the finest of wines. Her ideal Saturday night consisted of her lounging around in her reindeer pajamas, sipping hot chocolate while playing Taboo with Sango, Ayame and Rin.

"Pleasure to meet you, Miss. Higurashi," the man gracefully took a left hand and planted a light kiss on top. "I've heard a great deal about you from our company. Keep up the great work." He smiled before Kikyo slightly yanked him back to her side.

Kagome wasn't sure if her heart started to participate in a marathon or if her stomach was doing summersaults. She decided it was both as blood rushed to her cheeks. "Thank you, sir." Kagome smiled back before chided herself mentally. 'Calm down. He probably does this to all the ladies he meets.'

"She just started two months ago, she works on the fifth floor." Kikyo exaggerated the word fifth. Kagome sneered at her cousin as she knew what Kikyo wanted to hint at Inuyasha. There was a hierarchy amongst the employees at Taisho Inc. The higher the floor you worked on, the higher your status is within the company. In total, the grandeur building stood smacked in the middle of Wall St., towering New York City with fifty floors in total.

"I would love to stay and chat, but I do have to talk to other people. I hope you have a nice time here, sir." Kagome's fists balled together involuntarily before she headed towards the chocolate fountain. She was mortified that her cousin exposed her as a low level employee at his company. She started working there two months ago, so to be placed on the fifth floor of the building was expected. Kikyo on the other hand had been working there for two years and she reigns over the thirtieth floor. Knowing her cousin, Kikyo will probably want to make it to the fiftieth one day and some babies with Inuyasha. If Kagome knew that her cousin worked there, there was no way she would have taken the job. However, her father insisted she start her career out somewhere without people knowing that she was the daughter of the CEO of the Higurashi Corporation.

Kagome zigzagged her way through the crowed of the rich and elegant. Her face lit up with she spotted Sango, and grew even more excited when she spotted Miroku next to her. She snuck out the backdoor, up the stairs and headed towards Ayame's room. Her black stilettos were the first to come off before she took out the bobby pins that kept her elegant side bun together. Soft curls cascaded past her shoulders as she sat on the window ledge. It was still snowing in New York City, and Ayame's room had one of the best views of the city during snowfall. Kagome placed her head on the cool glass window and watched snowflakes flow from the sky as the humming of soft jazz music pervaded the room.

'Enjoying that party of yours?' I's voice started her. She accidentally banged her head against the six feet window before she was able to respond.

"I was until you popped up." Kagome hissed to herself as she held the spot where her head met the glass of the window.

'Are you insisting that I'm a party pooper?' Kagome heard a hint of playfulness in his voice. She sighed and pursed her lips together, preventing the smile that was about to form.

"A huge party pooper," Kagome straightened herself and clicked her tongue.

"Well, I'll have you know that I'm usually the life of the party." Inuyasha turned the brass doorknob of the double doors and snuck out of the ballroom. After being suffocated by Kagome's cousin for nearly an hour, he had to find a way to get out. As per usual, he used the bathroom card to step away. It's been twenty minutes now and hopefully she won't be crazy enough to check the men's bathroom to look for him. Then again, she was insane, so he wouldn't be surprised if she did go that far. 'Where in the world are you Kagome Higurashi?' He took a deep breath of fresh air when the door opened. Snow continued to cascade from the night sky.

'Oh I bet. Then you go home and sleep one or two girls you met at the party?' Kagome's sweet voice filled his head. This woman was driving him crazy. The only reason why he's here is to take a look at Kagome for the first time after the incident. Instead, he was met with Kikyo. Then again, he should have expected this would happen. Every time he attends a ball, his main responsibility was to get in, give some compliments and ask people how their business was going, and then get out as fast as he can.

"Only one or two? Is that how little you think of me?" Inuyasha tried his best not to laugh and anticipated her reaction.

There was a moment of silence as Inuyasha continued to take a walk around the manor, admiring its beautiful structural design. It was then he came across one room with its light opened with a silhouette of a woman with her legs curled up to her chest looking out the window. Her head was perched on top of her knees as her hands were wrapped around her legs.

There she was, his Kagome.

'You're a douche.' He held his gaze at Kagome as she sat on the top floor of the manor. Snow continued to fall and so did the temperature as he continued to stand in the garden of snow with his eyes glued to the silhouette. His tuxedo was definitely not enough to keep him warm in the snow.

"The finest of them all" he smiled. "I don't hear any drunkards yet, what kind of lame party is this?"

'The typical ones my father and my best friends guilt me into and I escape from,' her voice was as cold as the snow that surrounded him. 'Thanks again for accompanying me again, I.' This party wasn't the first one that he kept her company with after she snuck out. However, it was the first time that he was able to see how beautiful she looked when she snuck out.

'Anytime. It beats the one I'm at right now.' He decided to slide her a tidbit of information regarding his whereabouts.

The silhouette's head perked up immediately. Inuyasha smiled as Kagome started to fire her usual questions. 'Why and where are you at a party? I thought you were supposed to be at a club, dry humping on the dance floor.'

"You make me sound like I'm some drug dealer who wears gold chains around his neck, with gold filled teeth, and have an upcoming album coming out." Inuyasha chuckled. "I'm at one of my father's friend's business party. It's freezing, and I've been smothered with unwanted attention the whole night."

'Wait, so you weren't a drug dealer? Dang it. I was hoping to get some of what you had.' The sound of Kagome's laugh filled his conscious. 'Where's this party you're attending?'

"Some city"He teased her, keeping his answers as short as possible.

He heard her sigh and the silhouette's shoulder slumped. 'Let me guess. You're in some city, in some country, in some party. Am I right?'

"If all women can be just as smart as you." Inuyasha chuckled before the wooden door banged open, revealing a very tipsy Kikyo. Inuyasha's smile immediately concaved down when she giggled at the doorway.

"I've been looking everywhere for you." She sneezed as she made her way towards him, expecting him to catch her if she fell.

'I?' Kagome's voice called out to him as he looked up to the window one last time before getting Kikyo back inside after she face planted into the ground.

"Sorry Kags, I have to attend to a certain someone." He made sure she knew how much he despised that 'certain someone' before mentally turning the switch off to talk to her.

Kagome sighed as she continued to gaze at the snow. Her eyes followed the snow as it trailed down to the garden, and her eyes were fixed on the white haired prince she immediately recognized holding her visibly drunk cousin. For a split second, she could have swore he turned his eyes towards her revealed a pair of golden spheres. She rubbed her eyes and looked again, and the two were now gone.

"Kagome?" She heard Sango's voice muffle from the door. "I know you're in there."

"You've caught me." Kagome pretended to gasp as the doorknob turned, and revealed Sango along with Miroku dressed to perfection. Secretly, Kagome wished that she could find a man fit for her just like how Sango found Miroku. They met in college accidentally when Miroku was on the football team and Sango had a tutoring job. He was put on probation since his grades weren't up to par, and the faculty hired Sango to tutor him. After many logarithmic lessons and calculus arguments…the two got together junior year and have been going strong since. It just sucked that Miroku had to take a job way out there in Japan. Apparently, his childhood friend who was a big-shot hired him and now he's an advisor. Jumping off her seat on the ledge, she gave Miroku a big hug.

"How's the home land?" Kagome smiled as the three sat on top of Ayame's bed, which consisted of satin red bed sheets.

"Japan's great. The weather is completely the opposite of here. I completely forgot how winter in the city was like." Miroku chuckled as his fingers intertwined with Sango's. "I won't be staying here for long. I'm just here for my boss."

"Riiiigght. You're 'boss'" Sango air quoted the last words with both her index and middle finger. "He's practically your best friend. You two dick around and you get paid for doing nothing."

"Woah. Yes we fool around…" Miroku corrected her. "I was hired to keep him on point, schedules and such."

"You're his bitch?" Kagome sweetly blinked at Miroku before chiding him along with Sango.

"Why do I even bother?" Miroku kissed Sango on the forehead before continuing. "I'm his secretary. But he doesn't really need me; he's practically Einstein with a built-in smart computer."

"Who is your boss again?" Kagome asked, her thoughts were completely enveloped by I. She pondered on where he was, and who this certain someone was he hated to take care of. Did he have siblings? A little sister perhaps? Or maybe he was angry with his girlfriend. Kagome never asked if he was single or not. Not that she cared, of course.

"Inuyasha Taisho. Your boss and the royal prince of Japan?" Sango cocked an eye.

Then it clicked, the man with silver hair who Kikyo introduced her to. "Oh…"

"Well, he'll be visiting the office tomorrow so make sure to be on point. He has a habit of, you know…"

"Of what?" Kagome asked.

"He's strict when it comes to business. So just make sure you're on point." Miroku finished his sentence before heading back out with Sango. "He's known to be revered and feared by employees; even the chief financial officers piss in their pants when he comes to visit one of the branches."

Kagome checked her peachy nude lipstick twice before placing her compact mirror back into her purse. She glanced at her watch; it was only nine in the morning. Thoughts of the silver haired prince flooded her mind. He was so polite and gentle yesterday. Then again, Miroku works right below him so she should take his words with a grain of salt. She could see the tension in her floor. Kagura, one of her co-workers who usually read Cosmopolitan during work was actually taking calls. People were frantically running around, making sure the office was neat and tidy. Kagome straightened her shoulders and took another sip of her morning coffee before opening the stack of color coded folders on her desk.

"God, please make this day go fast." Kagome closed her eyes and prayed quietly.

'Bad day?' I's voice pervaded her mind. She double checked the time on her watch once again, there had to be no way he was up, it's supposed to be in the middle of the night back where he was.

"What are you doing up so late?" She whispered to herself, hoping no one would hear her. Thank goodness her cubical walls gave each employee enough privacy.

'Couldn't sleep,' he responded. From his tone of voice, he didn't sound too happy to talk to her.

"Something on your mind?" She asked, as she mindlessly grabbed the top red folder on her desk and analyzed the numbers in the packet. Kagome stopped and blinked as she realized it was the most important folder of the year since the year was coming to an end. It showed how much the NYC branch of Taisho Inc. made the whole year, how much they spent and other miscellaneous finances. There's no way this folder should be in her hands. This folder should be in the hands of the chief financial officer of the building. "Well that's weird." She wrinkled her brows as she placed it to the side and waited for I's response. She was truly worried about him. But, she can never tell him that. He'll probably be repulsed by her sudden change in attitude towards him.

'What's weird?' I's retorted inquisitively.

"There's a folder that's on my desk, that isn't supposed to be here." Kagome responded, curious at the numbers. She really wanted to know how the company was doing. However, it was none of her business. After all, looking at the first page was beyond how much she should know. "Anyway, that's not important. Why can't you sleep?"

'Financial reasons.' I's tone of voice seemed troubled. 'It might mean more work for me in the future.'

"Well that sucks. At least you won't be out in the streets right?" Kagome replied and continued to punch numbers from the folder into the line it corresponded with into the computer. Her job wasn't the most interesting job in the world, but it did pay bills. Her father was slowly cutting her off; thank goodness he was paying for the shrink. Never in a million years would she be able to afford to pay her psychologist.

'Why? Will you give me a place to stay?' I's voice turned from troubled to playful. Kagome couldn't help but smile.

"No thanks, I wouldn't want random girls coming in and out of my apartment." Kagome sighed and took another sip of her coffee.

'Promise I wouldn't leave condoms on the floor.' I's voice made her giggle. Maybe having him awake in the middle of the night wasn't so bad after all.

Kagome realized that she could hear a pin drop in the office. The only sounds that could be heard was clicking of computer mice, and tapping of computer keys. "The CEO is coming!" She heard someone quickly whisper before the silver haired prince appeared behind the glass door to enter their office. Next to him was Kikyo wearing a pencil skirt, and a white blouse with a push up bra underneath. Kagome had no idea a woman's boobs could go that high. She watched as Inuyasha made his way through cubicles, asking employees questions regarding the company. Beads of sweat trickled down each of them as Inuyasha towered over them. The prince donned a stone cold facial expression as he waited for their answer. Kikyo quietly snickered as each employee feared Inuyasha. It was until he reached Kagome's cubicle that Kagome gulped and tore her eyes away from her folder and looked up at Inuyasha and Kikyo.

The smell of Kagome's perfume pervaded her cubicle. Taking a deep breath, Inuyasha had to bite his tongue to keep the same cold demeanor he's been giving the rest of his employees. Just this morning, the red folder on his desk was missing. It contained the company's revenue, margin of error and its expenses. According to the CFO, they've been spending more than they could make. And the NYC branch was rapidly going into debt. If the red folder reaches the wrong hands, it would be bad press if this information gets leaked out. Kagome's hazel eyes met his as he looked at her in awe. Her hair was tied back into a tight pony-tail, extenuating the beauty of her facial features. Her desk was neat and tidy, unlike the other cubicles he had visited. They randomly shoved files into their drawers, hoping he wouldn't notice how much of a slob they were. A bright red folder sat on the top left corner of her desk that caught his eye.

Ah. That was the folder that she was talking about earlier. How did it end up here?

"It is nice to see you again, sir." Kagome bowed her head slightly, anxiousness overcame her when she realized he had caught sight of the red folder. "That…"

"How did this end up here?" He tried to sooth his tone, but not soft enough for Kikyo to notice.

"I've been looking for that folder this whole morning!" Kikyo placed her hands on her hips as she grabbed the folder from Kagome's desk in haste. "Where did you get this?"

"I.." Kagome stammered and bit her bottom lip.

Inuyasha was in mental distraught. His face remained stoic as he racked his brain for an excuse to protect Kagome before Kikyo could exaggerate this situation even further. He hated to see Kagome uncomfortable, especially with Kikyo here. Once he flies back to Japan tomorrow morning, he has got to have a talk with his father regarding the people he sends as an escort. He continued to stare at Kagome as she gulped and glued her eyes to the floor.

"It was there when I arrived at the office this morning. I swear I didn't take a look or anything, well only the first page..I…" Kagome strung her words together with haste. Inuyasha could see the nervousness in her face.

"You do know that you aren't supposed to look in this file right?" Inuyasha asked her calmly. In reality, he wanted to wrap his arms around her and tell her that it was alright. He didn't care if she looked at the first page, hell he didn't care if she scanned through the whole packet. He just didn't want to see her like this. Scared.

Kagome silently nodded.

Inuyasha pressed the panic button on his phone. His ring tone suddenly blasted from his right pocket of his designer dress pants. "One moment, please. Kikyo, can you grab me another cup of coffee? I'll meet you back here in five." Kikyo happily bounced out of the office as he pretended to take the call and headed out the door. Once he was out of sight, he could see Kagome rush into the ladies room.

'I? Are you still there?' He heard quiet sobs coming from Kagome in his head. 'I don't know what to do.'

"What's wrong?" Inuyasha quickly answered her as he locked himself in a meeting room and put the blinds down.

'There's this folder that's here on my desk. It's not supposed to be here. The CEO of the company I work for is here, he found it and is wondering how it got here. In the mornings, a stack of folders usually appear on my desk for me to file into the computer. But today, a very important folder got dropped off and I accidentally took a peek. Kikyo is here, and she's making everything worse. I don't know what to do. I can't get fired, or my father will be really upset with me.' Kagome's words blurred together. Inuyasha's brows furrowed together. He knew Kagome wouldn't take this folder from his office on the top floor, she doesn't even have the keys to his office. The only ones who had keys to his office was Miroku , Inuyasha himself and..

…Kikyo.

"Shh.." He cooed softly. "Who is this boss of yours?"

'Inuyasha Taisho.' She responded quickly. At least she remembered his name.

"Oh that guy. He big scary guy who everyone thinks that he eats his employee's hearts for breakfast?" Inuyasha chuckled. "He's one of my father's business partners. I'll give him a call."

'NO!' Kagome's voice shrieked in his head. 'The last thing I want is for you to get involved.'

And the last thing I want is to see you like that. Inuyasha wanted to tell her how he felt. "Take a deep breath, freshen up, and go back outside. I promise that everything is going to be okay when you sit back down."

Inuyasha casually walked out of the meeting room, and took a peek at Kagome through the glass door before going back in. Her shoulders were slumped and her head was glued to the computer screen. Just as the elevator bell ding-ed, Kikyo stepped out with her four inch heels and he could have sworn she unbuttoned another button on her blouse. She handed him a cup of coffee before they both proceeded to Kagome's cubicle to continue the confrontation.

"I can't believe she would do something like that. She only worked here for two months and she's gotten so nosy already. Just because her father is…" Kikyo mumbled loud enough for Inuyasha to hear as walked passed curious employees.

Inuyasha's gait came to a halt as he met Kagome's gaze. Kikyo sneered at her cousin as she waited for Inuyasha's punishment for Kagome. "I apologize Miss. Higurashi for the mishap." Kikyo's jaw dropped immediately.

"A good friend of mine gave me a phone call, and told me a great deal about you. I went back up to my office, and it turns out that there had been a switch in folders. This is the red folder you were suppose to receive, the receipts for last month's spending." He handed her a red folder he randomly pulled out from the meeting room before leaving and handed it over to her. "It seems like the person who drops off the files to you every morning wasn't paying attention and switched such an important file with a folder of lesser importance."

Kagome's eyes turned to Kikyo as she turned bright red. Inuyasha knew Kikyo was the one who personally delivers the company folders to the financial analysts. She especially gives Kagome more work that she was supposed to do. He should seriously contemplate on the idea of firing her.

"I-" Kikyo took a deep breath. "It was an accident, I didn't realize. They were the same shade of red."

Inuyasha crossed his arms, and tightened his jaw. "I expected more from you. My father said that you were one of the best employees here in this branch. I guess he was wrong, for someone of such importance to make such a big mistake." He spoke loud enough so other employees could tune in. He then turned to Kagome, "I apologize for my actions earlier Miss. Higurashi. Please accept this invitation to dinner party with me tonight as an apology for my mistake." He then looked over to Kikyo, as if her actions reflected upon him.

Kagome shook her head. "Oh no it's okay. Thank you though, sir."

Inuyasha sighed mentally. Hey, at least he tried. "Very well then, you may continue with the rest of your day." He glared at Kikyo as she kept her mouth shut for the rest of the day.

Kagome took a deep breath as she opened the red folder to find nothing inside. She sighed in relief as she was still confused of what just happened. She thanked her lucky stars that I was there to help her when she was in trouble, although he was supposed to be sleeping by now. She felt horrible for interrupting his sleeping schedule due to her cries for help.

'Did he leave yet?' I's voice returned.

"Yes. I can't thank you enough." Kagome gleefully whispered to herself. "What did you make him do?"

'I just told him that I won't expose his secret of what happened on his 22nd birthday to our friends if he didn't take care of this situation.' Kagome heard I chuckle.

"What happened on his 22nd birthday?" Kagome, being always curious asked.

'Oh some girl broke his heart and he came crying back to Japan.' I answered her. 'I do have to head to bed now. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask. Good night.'

Author's note: Woo! That took a while to type. It was two chapters in one, just because you all deserve it. Thanksgiving is only two days away! I'm so thankful for all of my readers. Thank you for reading my works, PMing me, and most of all thank you for all of your kind reviews. It makes me really happy knowing that there are people out there that love what I write. It motivates me to write even more! What are you thankful for?

And if there is anyone out there that knows how to use WattPad, please Private Message or leave me a review! I need serious help, I have no idea how to upload chapters or do anything on there. Please and thank you!