Mama Higurashi studied the young man walking around the shrine grounds pensively; lips pursed, she almost decided to approach him as he made careful notes on clipboard of paper. He hadn't even bothered introducing himself before he started inspecting the shrine and its numerous buildings. In fact, the male, more boy than man, had simply started snooping and taking pictures as he wrote.
Mind made up, she took a step forward, setting aside the broom she had swept with and pushing up the sleeves of her traditional miko robes; only to stop as an old wrinkled hand settled on her arm.
"Calm yourself, Nodoka," her father-in-law said as he too studied the young man as he rudely went about his inspection. His pale blue eyes, though surrounded by wrinkles, were sharp and clear. "Let him go about his business."
"Father, he's going to cause more trouble for our family, I just know it!" she said softly, unable to take her eyes off the boy moving about the grounds until he disappeared from view. "I'm almost positive this has something to do with Kagome's young man…"
Katamasa, named after generations of 'masa's in the shrine's background, smiled grimly at his daughter-in-law and spoke of his granddaughter. "I have seen the change in her during the past week or so. Let her defend us; it's past time we had our girl back."
Closing her eyes, Nodoka silently agreed as she leaned against him. He was right of course. Kagome was well trained and she knew the best thing for her daughter to be completely better would be to let the girl fight her own battles.
o.O.o
Word Count: 27
