"Grandpa?"
Kagome entered the shrine gift shop where her grandfather was placing trinkets and charms onto shelves in hopes of selling them to shrine visitors over the winter holiday.
"What is it, Kagome?" He asked, distracted. "If you're not busy, would you mind lending me a hand?"
With his free hand, he held out a small basket to her and she took it, beginning to empty the hand-made items onto the shelf beside him.
She peeked over at him. His gray beard and mustache matched the gray bun on top of his head. The deep wrinkles in his face made her want to smile and cry at the same time. He was growing older, and it seemed to happen right before her eyes.
She wondered…would his soul be stuck here when he passed? Would he haunt her as well?
Sensing her eyes on him, he paused and glanced over at her. "Is everything alright, granddaughter?"
She pressed her lips together. She knew he was under a lot of stress during holidays, especially the winter holiday, and she was hesitant to add to it. But, she needed his advice.
She treaded carefully.
"Has a spirit ever gotten past the wards before?"
He turned fully toward her, placing his empty basket at his feet.
"No…has something happened, Kagome?"
She glanced around the shop, seeing all of the work yet to be done – all of the work still to do and hesitated again.
"No," she said. "I was just curious, is all." She smiled at him. "What else can I do to help you, gramps?"
The old man grinned, relief evident on his face.
"Yes!" He turned around, heading toward the storehouse. "Come along, Kagome."
Dutiful, loving granddaughter that she was, she followed.
She'd just have to work on the wards on her own. Later. She'd add more reiki to her ritual in hopes that it'd be enough.
Tonight. She'd strengthen her wards tonight.
After she helped her grandfather.