Disclaimer: This story is based on "Inuyasha," copyrighted by Rumiko Takahashi. No infringement of copyright intended or implied.


Sousobo

Kaede looked fondly at the small family sitting formally before her. Kagome's face was rosy with health, marking her recovery after the prolonged birthing. Beside her, Inuyasha's expression had not yet lost the deep joy and amazement as he held his baby daughter Aimiko. She had slept throughout the brief naming ceremony, but her tiny, pricked ears had swiveled at each voice.

Their obvious, radiant joy had been a long time coming, and hard earned. Kaede tried not to think of the two tiny graves guarded by Jizo's statue, or the self-hating despair that Inuyasha had struggled against for months after the second stillbirth. Today was no time for darkness—

"Sobo-ue, is everything all right?"

Kaede blinked, chagrined to find her thoughts wandering. She smiled at Kagome, cherishing again the pleasure of being called 'grandma'. Kagome had asked permission to call her that only months after her return. Rin had quickly followed, and Kaede had found a tremendous joy in being so called. In a secret part of her mind, Kaede knew she had feared her what her last years might be. But not now, not with two grand-daughters in spirit for a family.

"Hey, old woman, you gonna keep grinning like a drunken Buddha, or what?"

"Inuyasha!" Kagome elbowed her husband, but Kaede caught the laughter in his eyes, and only shook her head.

"I am smiling no more than you, these days … grandson." His startled expression was payment enough for the rudeness, and she laughed silently as she pulled forward a cotton-wrapped package. "I thought I would gift this to your daughter." She pulled back the yellowed cloth to reveal a gleaming length of glorious emerald. Inuyasha stiffened, sniffing. Kaede nodded. "Youkai silk. Kikyo was given this by a youkai weaver, after she returned a bundle of silks stolen by a human merchant. I couldn't bear to part with it, after she died, but never found a use for it…"

"It's beautiful," whispered Kagome, leaning forward to touch it. "I'll make sure Aimiko learns to appreciate sousubo-ue's gift…"

Great-grandmother.

Kaede smiled.


Author's Note: This piece takes place about one week after the birth, and five years after Kagome's return. It was written for the LiveJournal community "At First Tweak," for the prompt "Silk." A shorter version than the above was posted originally on April 20th, 2011. It one the contest.