Zaibu dismissed her class. They ran joyfully into the garden. She watched them run. If all goes well there will be a new student.
She made soup for lunch. The children took their servings out to the deck. She brought a bowl for herself and one for Sanzo into Sanzo's little room. Looking at him she felt that all couldn't possibly go well, he was so thin and was going to suffer nicotine withdraw and who else knows what. He'd probably be in denial until she cut this kid from his gut, maybe even after. Her eldest student's dame was like that. Zaibu had to name him.
She nudged him with her elbow. "Hey you hungry?" she asked
He focused on her, frowning, seemed to be thinking about it and then took the bowl onto his lap. He ate slowly, expecting to get sick. To his surprise he didn't so he began to eat with more gusto.
"That was some quick thinking, telling your friends its a parasite. I'll have to remember that one if Granny strikes again. I bet that even convinced your healer friend."
Sanzo had finished his soup. He looked up. "They aren't my friends. I was forced to bring them along. They have there uses."
"Damn your really nice. Granny has no idea what she did this time." She finished up and took Sanzo's bowl from him and went to leave. Sanzo got up slowly, he didn't feel like emptying so he unceremoniously pulled out the IV and he followed her out of the room. He walked stiffly. He really acted like an ancient man who had no love in his life, she thought. She went to the kitchen, he went out to the deck. He pulled out a cigarette, the mere smell of it made him gag. He put it back in the pack and sat down on the bench, at least he was alone, he thought.
What are we going to do for nine days whined Goku. Hakkai was lost in thought. Hakkai! whined Goku again. What are we going to do?! Hakkai looked at him. "I'm more worried about Sanzo's health then our entertainment." He said.
Goku looked at his feet sadly, "Yeah, I guess so. How come you couldn't heal him?"
Well, it was definably a parasite, or something living in his body. I couldn't do anything cause there was nothing to heal, nothing was broken."
Ick, I don't wanna go anywhere near the water now!! shrieked Goku.
Hakkai gave one of his little laughs and said "We should find Gojyo and let him know we'll be here for a while."
"And get lunch!!" "Yes Goku and get lunch".
The arrived at the tavern. The waitress from the other night motioned them to a table and gave them menus. "Would you happen to know where Gojyo is? Hakkia asked.
Oh! yeah I'll get him for you. She hurried away.
A few minutes later she returned with a drained looking Kappa. It looked like someone let the air out of his face, but he seemed rather cheerful.
Beer and milk was brought to the table. "Ick! Milk, I hate this town. I have never liked milk!" Goku exclaimed. Goku and Hakkai both merrily drank their beer, enjoying having an excuse to drink mid-day. Food arrived and Goku quickly forgot his annoyance with the beverages. He seemed to literally dive into a tray of meat buns.
Hakkai told Gojyo about Sanzo's health and about being here for ten days. "Well I know I'm sticking to beer while we are here" replied Gojyo, and I've got a place to stay although it may kill me. Hakkai chuckled, placing his hand on the back of his neck, he really didn't want any details on Gojyo activities. He would have to talk with Yuèguì about maybe spending another night. He and Goku had shared a guest bedroom and it really wasn't that bad...
When Yuèguì heard about poor Sanzo she acted surprised and welcomed them in. She did ask if they'd help in the shop. Hakkai said he love to, Goku pouted until he relied he'd be helping Wúcāi. He smiled and ran over to help her with a box of books.
The Kappa, blissfully abused, just dragged himself back up the stairs.
Sanzo got roped into lighting the lamps at the temple. He felt fine, he wondered if it was over already. Back in his room he pulled out his cigarettes. lighting it he readied himself for the queasiness, it didn't happen. He signed and took a long drag of the cigarette, getting a little nic buzz. As he stood there with the door open, the oldest student stopped short seeing him smoking. The kid frowned disapprovingly. Sanzo just turned away from the door if the stupid monkey and Hakkai couldn't make him feel bad about smoking this little brat couldn't do it. He decided they were leaving in the morning, he felt find. That bitch, he thought, probably just wants a real monk here.
Morning found Sanzo over the trash can again. Fuck he though. He groaned as Zaibu came in with congee and a change of clothes.
She put everything on the table and went and got him a wet washcloth from the bathroom. She sat down to wait for him to finish.
He grabbed the cloth and wiped his face as he stood up. He grunted at her. She handed him the cloths and said "its laundry day, change please." She made a fake smile that was frighteningly like Hakkai's. Sanzo glared at her and snatched the cloths from her out stretched hand. He stomped into the bathroom.
Well I guess he is feeling less bad then yesterday. I guess I IV was good for something or maybe it was the huge dinner he ate. She thought.
Sanzo came out and practically flung his cloths at her. He looked unbelievably pissed off. "I want those back today!! I wouldn't want to be caught dead in these! She turned and left, waiting to smile until she had left the room.
Sanzo was wearing an over sized button front and a pair of adjustable waist gi pants. They were far from fashionable but they didn't deserve the amount of rage that they were receiving. Sanzo hated them, would burn them given the chance. He liked the cloths he wore under his robe to snug, he was comfortable that way. These were so loose he felt like he was naked. He lit a cigarette. Took a drag. His eyes shot open wide and he dashed to the bathroom. Ok, I guess no smoking until after noon...
He washed his face again. Hakkai and Gojyo came to visit him that afternoon.
Sanzo smirked at Gojyos state. He looked like the happiest zombie ever. Gojyo remarked that Sanzo was dresses like a homeless person. Hakkai just gave his nervous laugh. They exchanged the insults that passed for small talk, smoked a few cigarettes under the angry gaze of the oldest student before setting off.
That night at dinner of rice and fish Sanzo asked Zaibu about the women's well.
She sighed. This town had an amazing military heritage. Generation after generation had powerful and wise warrors. Its said that the pride worried heaven. A god came and took all the men, maybe ten years again. As a gift he "blessed" the spring that feeds this town. The water in the bottles comes from the next town over. Those first years were a mess, everyone got pregnant, snort. Given our "blessing" it was difficult to get people to live here, may original citizens left...we feared becoming a ghost town, but then we found people making quite pilgrimages here. We tried to take advantage of that. Shrug, thats about were we are, one thing it does do is scare bandits and demons. So we have had some measure of peace.
That is some bullshit lady. Sanzo replied. You know you are so charming, was the woman's retort.
