Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.
Great-Granddaughter
Her hair was almost pure white, her eyesight was fading, and her joints ached and refused to let her indulge in her taste for weeding her garden. Nevertheless, Kaede was content. She soaked in the early morning sun, seated on the bench Inuyasha had built, and watched her two 'granddaughters' weeding and gossiping.
Rin giggled. Kaede looked at her, then the direction of Rin's gaze. "Kagome-chan, I think Aimiko's going to need a bath."
Kagome sighed. "She always needs a bath. Aimiko, baby, please stop digging holes in grandma-Kaede's garden."
Kaede shook her head mentally, bemused that the young woman apparently had still not learned that babies did not respond to polite requests. Fortunately, her garden was not truly at risk from the hole that the baby was vigorously digging in the soft dirt at the garden's edge. Nevertheless, to spare Kagome's embarrassment, the elderly woman clicked her tongue. "Aimiko-chan."
The baby's head popped up, ears rotating forward. Kaede patted the bench beside her. "Why don't you come visit an old woman, Aimiko-chan?"
"Kaede-sobo-ue, she'll get your clothes dirty."
Kaede smiled. "I've never minded dirt," she said, not looking away from the little girl. She patted the bench again. "Aimiko-chan?"
A giggle, and a huge, beaming grin answered her. Falling forward, she began to crawl rapidly towards Kaede, taking a direct route into the garden and through the nearest row.
"Aimiko!" Kagome, despairing.
The little girl stopped, turning her head to look towards her mother, ears drooping.
"It's all right, Kagome. They'll survive a little trampling. Aimiko?"
Aimiko looked back at her. Kaede smiled, but the girl still looked uncertain and unhappy. "It's all right, Aimiko-chan," said Kaede, pitching her voice as warm and comforting as possible, leaning forward, and stretching out a hand. "Come to great-grandma?"
A look of determination passed over the girl's face. Shifting her weight onto her hands, she bounced tentatively, then straightened her legs, thrusting her butt into the air. A rock, another, and then she reared up, standing, arms spread wide. She wobbled, looked apt to fall back onto her bottom, but somehow kept her balance. One foot moved forward. She wobbled again, but still didn't fall. Kaede found herself holding her breath as the baby took a second step, feeling astounded, and then, increasingly, delighted. A fourth, a fifth. The wobbling threatened to overwhelm the baby's balance, but instead of plopping back down, the little girl's legs increased their pace. One-two-three-four, and then Aimiko fetched against the bench, fingers extended and claws scrabbling at the wood to preserve her balance, and she let out a high squeal of sheer glee.
Kaede laughed, scratching behind the white ears. "Aren't you the just the cleverest little great-granddaughter ever? With the whitest hair, and the cutest little ears..."
Aimiko giggled and leaned into the caresses, and if dirt transferred from girl to old miko, Kaede didn't care.
Author's Note: This was written for the prompt 'Garden,' for the LiveJournal community ib4y2. It was originally posted on July 29th, 2012. It won the contest.