It was 9:00 in the morning when Sesshoumaru knocked on the door of the Beauregard Street asylum, tape measure in hand. The door opened and he was greeted by the bright face of Miroku and the smaller face of the chicken under his arm.

"Good morning, Dr. Taisho!" he greeted amidst the clucks, out of breath.

Sesshoumaru eyed the chicken warily, "Hnn…"

"Helen got loose this morning." Miroku explained smilingly, raising the chicken in his arm. Catching sight of the tape measure Sesshoumaru was holding as he passed him, his face brightened, "Oh, you're measuring for the windows today! Fantastic!"

Sesshoumaru made no further comment as he stepped down the hall, Miroku close behind. Their visit to Miss Higurashi's room the week before proved to be enlightening in more ways than one. Her suggestion of windows was quickly elaborated, in the process revealing a well spoken and learned young woman. It was decided that the windows were to be done in 2 sections, upper and lower.

The asylum itself was formerly an abandoned church.

This gave the two doctors a high, vaulted ceiling to work with. Miss Higurashi's upper windows were to be on the lower portion of each side of the ceiling, 6 feet high and 2 feet wide, in a long row. The sky could be viewed clearly and the sun would shine on the patients faces, hopefully on their psyches as well.

The lower windows were to be 1 foot high and run the length of the room on either side. They would be stacked sets of 5, too small to for anyone to fit through even if they did break the glass. This, Miroku had pointed out, rendered metal prison bars unnecessary.

It would take some manpower to cut the thick concrete walls, but the outcome was worth it.

Sesshoumaru held his tape measure to the cracked wall. Miroku stood behind him, still holding Helen, the chicken.

"You know what," Miroku said, "Let me get Kagome. I feel she would be a good influence here."

Sesshoumaru turned to question the wisdom of that action and saw Miroku's retreating figure head not for the patients door, but towards the garden.

He reappeared with a glowing Kagome donned in a wide-brimmed hat and a flowing blue dress. She held a basket of flowering weeds. She was probably one of those odd ones that thought them more of a pretty thing than a nuisance, he thought.

"Good morning, Dr. Taisho!" she greeted brightly.

"Good morning." He nodded politely.

Her smile widened and she spoke with breathless excitement when she saw what he was doing. "How does everything look? Can you picture the windows here?" She gestured with her free hand along the wall.

He started to answer as she cut him off, "Let me go get a vase for these flowers and I'll be right back." She scooted towards the kitchen with a spring in her step.

Miroku met Sesshoumaru's questioning gaze with a cheeky smile. The two doctors had agreed to let Sesshoumaru diagnose all patients in his own time, using his own skills. It was becoming increasingly apparent that Miroku was having quite the time in throwing him off the scent.

Sesshoumaru narrowed his eyes at the man and huffed, returning to his measuring.

Kagame glided into the room then, shuffling on tip-toe past the doctors and skidding to a stop at the table by the old fireplace. She began arranging the weeds with dainty fingers as her companions settled into quiet conversation.

A soft jingling suddenly floated through the comfortable scene.

Sesshoumaru had never heard it here before but froze as the room changed. The very air stilled as Kagome's eyes snapped to Miroku, who returned her gaze. They both held their breath, waiting; willing the sound to come again.

The tinkling sound filled their ears again. A disbelieving smile spread across Kagame's face and Miroku took off in a sprint for the patient's hall entrance. He slipped through the opening and let it fall shut behind him. Sesshoumaru could hear him frantically unbolting one of the inner doors, though he could not tell which one.

Curiosity mingled with concern in Sesshoumaru's mind. He put down the tape measure and strode toward the large door only to be stopped.

Kagome had stepped in front of him, blocking the way. She put her hand on his chest and looked at him with soft eyes that begged his trust.

He searched her face, weighing what he knew with all that he didn't.

He trusted Miroku.

Miroku trusted her.

He supposed that he could trust her here. He decided he would. Nodding, he stepped back and quietly returned to his tape measure.

Kagome's shoulders shrugged in relief. Her gaze lingered on Sesshoumaru's broad back, smiling softly as she did.

"How well do you know Miroku?" she asked pleasantly.

"Not too well. We only speak professionally." he answered honestly.

"Did you know that Miroku is married?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru made a noncommittal frown, "I didn't." He had never seen nor heard mention of this woman. "Where is she?"

"Theirs is a great love story. She's away most of the time. Off to God-knows-where." Kagome shrugged with a secret smile, "Though she visits now and then."

"And when is she next due for a visit?" he asked indulgently.

"She arrived just now, actually." Kagome informed him with an expectant smile.

Sesshoumaru turned toward her and frowned. He looked toward the outer door for any new person and found it empty and quiet. Miroku hand't mentioned this event and no woman had been seen that day besides Kagome. "How do you know this?" he asked, in spite of himself.

Kagome made a ringing motion with her fingers, "When she gets in, she rings a bell to let us know."

A thousand questions were stayed as she walked over and took Sesshoumaru's arm, steering him toward the kitchen.

"Why don't we talk more while I make us all some lunch?" she smiled.

He could only nod and cover her hand with his own as they left the room, a recognition growing in him like the beautiful weeds in Miss Higurashi's vase.

Two chapters in two days? What is this madness? Thank goodness I'm only continuing now. I guess I needed that four year sit down to hammer out the cool story unfolding before me.

Btw, I got a very good question yesterday. I was asked if there were demonkind in this story. After much thought and as much as I adore reading and writing about demons and all of the magic that comes with them, there are none here. Demonic senses and powers have been replaced with mental illness or pschiatric expertise.

Everyone in this story is human. I hope that doesn't hinder your enjoyment of the story!

Thanks for all the feedback so far! I hope you like this one too!

Thanks!**