Disclaimer: The characters of Inuyasha are owned by Rumiko Takahashi, but this story belongs to me.
How to Flirt with a Dog Demon
Complimentary Conversationalist Cutie
Don't know what to say?
"Well..." Kagome replied, "Talking has never really been the issue. We talk all the time actually. It's just that we don't always talk about... you know... THIS kind of stuff..."
Don't know how to start a conversation with your crush?
"Also not really a problem... we talk a lot. Sometimes. Just... not about this."
Don't know how to keep his interest through conversation?
"You would have to define the word "interest" I guess... Are we talking jewel shards? NO problem keeping the interest with jewel shards. How I need to go home and study for finals... yeah, that one not so much."
Don't know how to use conversation to flirt?
"Okay. Now I'm listening."
"Kagome?"
Kagome looked up from her magazine. "Yes, Mama?"
Her mother looked around the living room curiously as she stepped in the room. "I thought I heard you talking to someone."
"No. Just reading."
Mrs. Higurashi looked around one more time. "I don't want to interrupt you if you are on the phone..."
Kagome blinked in confusion. "Phone?"
Her mother smiled. "Never mind, dear. I'll call you when dinner is ready. Are we expecting any company tonight?"
"I never actually really know..."
Kagome followed her mother into the kitchen. Still reading her magazine. She sat at the table and opened the magazine so that it lay flat as her mother filled a pot with water and set it on the stove.
"Keep your approach casual. Stay calm and keep the conversation low pressure."
Kagome's mother glanced over at her with a gentle smile. "Looking for tips?"
Blushing, Kagome tried to decide how much she should tell her mother. It was kind of embarrassing. But at least maybe if she talked to her mom about some of the tips she might be able to weed out the ones that were terrible advice.
"I'm trying to become a 'complimentary conversationalist cutie'." This was accompanied by air quotes. "I ... well... I'm trying to learn to ... uh..."
"How to flirt with a dog demon?"
"MAMA!"
With a smile, Mrs. Higurashi turned back to her cooking. "Tell me what else the magazine says."
"Don't talk about yourself too much."
"Ah. My own mother gave me such advice."
Kagome's head snapped up. Her mother rarely ever spoke of her own parents. "What else did she tell you?"
"Always carry enough money to call for a ride home. And NEVER eat noodles on a first date."
"What?"
"Too messy."
Kagome laughed and shook her head before going back to the magazine. No noodles... That was just silly. Besides, with Inuyasha's table manners he wouldn't notice if she was licking the bowl clean.
"Compliment your crush early on in the conversation. Do not focus on physical appearances. Find a way to weave compliments into the conversation."
Kagome paused reading and looked up, hoping her mom might give her some cues on if it was good advice or bad.
"Everyone enjoys a compliment," her mother murmured as she stirred whatever was in the pot.
That qualified as good advice then. "Be bold with your compliments. However, avoid compliments that deal with feelings too early in the relationship."
Kagome waited... but this time there was only silence. Did that mean it was good or bad advice? When it was clear that there would be no comments on that last bit of advice, she continued to read.
"When paying a compliment, lower your tone and volume for a more s... sss... sexy appeal." Kagome cleared her throat.
"Hm." Kagome's mother looked over at her and smiled warmly. It suspiciously looked like she was trying not to laugh.
Embarrassed, the young miko looked back down at the magazine. "Um... it says to keep the conversations short but sweet. Always leave them wanting more."
This time, Kagome had her mother's full attention. After a slow smile, Mrs. Higurashi set her spoon down and turned from the stove. She cleared her voice. "You are trying to find a way to compliment Inuyasha?"
Kagome ducked her head shyly. "Sort of..."
"Are you having a difficult time coming up with a compliment?"
Kagome shook her head and put her hands in her lap. "Of course not."
"You are embarrassed to give him the compliments."
"YES!" Kagome wailed as she dropped her head down on the table.
"Hm." Mrs. Higurashi turned off the heat and leaned against the counter with her hands clasped in front of her. "Would it help to practice? Yes, of course it would. Close your eyes, dear. Talk from your heart."
After one sharp nod, Kagome closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Inuyasha... you are the strongest person I know." Kagome took another deep breath. This was helping already. She could almost feel him in the room with her. It was tempting to open her eyes, but Mama said closing her eyes would help.
So, Kagome continued.
"Not just physically strong, but strong strong. Your heart is strong. You survived so much at such a young age. You fought and struggled... even when people were so cruel to you... you didn't just survive, you stayed strong. Your heart... your soul... everything about you is strength. It would have been so easy for you to have hated humans, to hate the ones who hated you."
Kagome heard the chair across from her scrape across the floor. The temptation to open her eyes was strong. Her mother was awfully quiet when she walked these days. Knowing someone was across from her made her slightly nervous, and slightly bold. She took another breath and smiled, thinking about Inuyasha and the things she loved about him.
With her eyes closed she pictured that it was Inuyasha sitting across from her.
"Inuyasha... you are filled with such kindness, and generosity. Even though you try to hide it. You can't hide it from me. You are the only one I can ever imagine letting have my heart. You are simply amazing."
"I know I'm not supposed to talk about looks, but you need to know how beautiful you are. Inside and out. I love your hair. Your ears. Your eyes. Yes, even your claws. I love everything about you."
Kagome took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh. "I just wish you noticed me. Not as just a friend. But as a woman. As someone you'd want to..."
Kagome blushed. She put her hands back in her lap and ducked her head. As she started to open her eyes, Kagome heard a gasp as the chair fall over. Springing up she looked across the table, worried her mother had hurt herself.
Oddly enough, her mother was back at the stove slowly stirring the dinner. And grinning out the window.
Kagome sighed when she saw nothing out the window. She was hoping that maybe Inuyasha might show up for dinner.
Maybe one day she would be brave enough to tell him how she really felt.
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Author's Note:
My mom's only dating advice to me was to always carry enough money to call for a ride home and never eat SPAGHETTI on a first date. Though experience has taught me that salads are WAY messier to eat than spaghetti.
I thought I posted this before summer... Turns out I did not.