The group settled in a small clearing while Myoga told tale how a disgruntled young Sesshomaru would come to his father seeking comfort and guidance and how Inu no Taisho would rumble in his chest to calm the young youkai, explaining that it was a natural thing to do for all Inu youkai.
"But I'm not a full demon so why is it happening to me?" InuYasha asked slightly exasperated, while he knew tht Myoga had his suspicions as to why it was happening, the old flea didn't have to beat around the bush about it.
"I believe, that Master InuYasha's Youkai blood is answering the girls need for comfort in the way that it knows... taking the initiative to take over just enough to make the calming noise but still leave him with his own conciousness." Myoga hypothesised but the theory made sense. the Rumble only occurred when the girl was distressed and dissappeared as soon as she was put at ease.
Kagome thought on this for a moment while she watched the subject of their conversation tackle Shippo to the ground only to have him poof out her arms, another copy.. "But Myoga.. if it's InuYasha's demon blood taking over, wouldn't Tessaiga react and try and quell it?"
Myoga nodded, "I had thought on this possibility also but remember that Tessaiga's purpose is to keep Master InuYasha's demon blood in check.. It seems in this situation that his Father's blood doesn't want to take over completely but only serve to provide comfort, therefore Tessaiga has not had to intervene.."
"Makes sense I guess.." InuYasha said with a slight shrug as he felt a spike of demonic aura from the girl and let out a warning growl, Calm down, come.. he called out with a short bark, prompting the girl to look over with pink tinged eyes before they faded slightly and she made her way over to him, apparently the game had become more of a string of practical jokes played on her rather than a game of tag.
As soon as the girl had reached him she had nudged her head under his chin in a silent apology for letting her anger get the better of her and InuYasha's rumble came to everyone's ears, The markings appearing to accompany them.
"Almost exactly how I remember it.." Myoga sighed, before jumping over to Kagome's shoulder. "Master InuYasha shares Inu no Taisho's markings almost perfectly.. It's like seeing the Great Dog General all over again.." he lamented.
"InuYasha has the same markings as his father?" Kagome asked astounded, "Sesshomaru's markings are so different though.."
"Lord Sesshomaru takes his markings more from his mother than his father.. it's the way with most Inu youkai that the offspring take more of their mother's appearance than their fathers, and the same holds true for Master InuYasha, he has more of his mother's appearance than his fathers, and his father shines through in his demon blood when it is awakened."
"I see... that makes sense I suppose.." Kagome mused as she watched the pair of Inu hanyou sitting across from her before she sighed.
"Whatever is the matter Kagome?" Myoga asked, catching the attention of Sango and Miroku as well.
"I was just thinking.." she sighed in reply looking at the girl wrapped in Inuyasha's arms, "What should we call her?"
The group fell silent as the thought sank in, after learning what she had been called her entire life nobody wanted to continue calling her such a degrading name, but all had failed to find a new name for her.
"Kagome is usually good at that stuff!" Shippo chirped from his place between Kagome and Sango.
Kagome looked a little shocked but smiled down at the young Kitsune, "Thanks Shippo.. I have been trying to think of something suitable for a while now but nothing seems to work for her.."
"You'll find something.." The voice surprised everyone in the clearing and they all looked at InuYasha. "I know you will.." he finished, looking at Kagome with a soft determination burning in his eyes.
Kagome only nodded with a smile in response, to have InuYasha's trust on the matter made her feel unusually warm and fuzzy on the inside. She soon shook herself free of the stunned silence she had been struck into and smiled, "Who's up for some lunch?"
Halfway through the preparations for lunch kagome's voice rang out through the clearing grabbing everyone's attention in an instant. "Hani!"
The girl's head snapped around from her game with Shippo, who had been told to behave himself, and stared at Kagome with wide eyes before she looked at InuYashawith a little uncertainty, Was I called then?
InuYasha beckoned the girl over as he walked over to Kagome, who was smiling a wide victorious smile. "Care to explain?" he asked, narrowing his eyes only slightly before Kagome's smile made him falter.
"Her name.. or rather a nickname!" Kagome smiled, before realising that she'd have to explain the concept of a nickname, "A shortened version of what she already beleives is her name.. Hanyou, Hani.. Hani means 'Sweet child' or 'Cheerful and happy'!"
The girl smiled up at Kagome's smile and asked, Why is she so happy?
InuYasha blinked between the girl and Kagome before crouching down and looking at the girl, taking in her scent as he did so, the sweetness of vanilla hit his senses first and was chased by a pleasant Citrus smell and he nodded, We know what to call you... Hani.. The response was an immediate yapping of an excited half demon girl.
Kagome worried her hands and looked at the pair, "What do you think InuYasha?"
InuYasha stood then and looked at Kagome with a small smirk, "Don't worry yourself so much, Kagome.. She likes it!"
to Kagome's surprise, she felt two small arms wrap themselves around her knees as the girl hugged them, the wetness of tears did not go unnoticed as Kagome bent down to hug the young hanyou properley. "Thank you Hani.."
Small whimpers escaped the girl as she buried her face into Kagome's shoulder, No more running, accepted... home...
InuYasha bent down next to Kagome and smiled, resting a hand on Hani's head gently, Safe, we protect. He seemed to swell with what could only be described as pride as Hani accepted the close contact from Kagome where she would normally be very standoffish, Kagome had accepted Hani without question just as she had him a couple of years ago and he wondered if there was a limit to Kagome's kindness. Before he knew it he was growling.. but it wasn't a growl of malice or threat.. this growl was special, this growl was content, and he smiled for it.