Sanzo opened his eyes on the third morning in Nushen. He didn't feel sick. Hesitantly he rolled to his side. The damned IV was back in his arm. The sun was streaming into the window, meaning that it was late morning. Fruit was laid out of the table along with his now clean cloths. He went straight to the bathroom. He showered, hoping it would ease his achy muscles and itchy skin. He felt for sure that throwing up for days would make ones abs hurt like his did. He dried off and primped, as much as he did anyway, and got dressed. "Damn that woman she can't even do laundry!!"

His top was just a wee bit more snug then he remembered.

He left the bathroom to find Goku eating an apple from the pile on the table. Sanzo! Goku yelled out messily though half chewed apple.

Sanzo rolled his eyes. What do you want monkey?

Hey! I came to see if you were feeling better. Goku said in a dejected tone.

Well I'm just fucking fantastic. Sanzo replied. I'm ready to get out of here.

Really? Goku asked. You feel that much better? cause if you don't, we don't have to hurry, the foods good in this town and um, I have to help at the bookstore later today. I already said I would.

I'm ready to leave I don't care what you planned today, I don't want to spend another night in this hellhole.

Sanzo had picked up an apple and absentmindedly bit into it. He grabbed his things and went to the door.

The monk was there, she looked at him. She made no move to stop him. He seemed to be waiting for her to say something.

He left, almost rushing, with Goku in tow. She hoped she was right about his healer friend and he'd be back before sundown.

The went straight to the tavern. Sanzo thinking he'd find Gojyo there. The waitress was surprised to see him. She asked if he was really feeling well enough to be thinking of leaving. She stared at him, at his middle actually.

I'm up here. He said to her. Her eyes shot up to meet his. . Know. Were. Gojyo. Is?

She gave him a sour look. Sit down, she pointed to an open table. I'll see if he is up yet.

Lazy fucking water sprite, he muttered. Sanzo sat down, seeing the ashtray of the table he pulled out his pack. Three days on the same pack he thought, he smoked more then that even when he had the flu. Goku was asking about getting some egg rolls, pork fried rice, noodles, etc etc. Sonzo sent him off to get Hakkia from the books store. The waitress returned with a zombie of Gojyo. Sanzo did order veggie fried rice and Pao cai. He wished for tea and then ordered a beer. Goyjo fell asleep at the table. Sanzo groaned.

Sanzo lit up a cigarette took a drag and started coughing, his eyes watering he put it out. That woke Goyjo up briefly, he smirked.

Sanzo thought Goyjo was in much worse shape than himself and that staying here was making him useless.

The food arrived, Goyjo stirred, the waitress blew him a kiss. She glared at Sanzo who was glaring at her. Sanzo started to eat his meal. In-between bites he told Goyjo that they were leaving today as soon as Hakkia said they were ready to make it to the next town. Goyjo said it was to bad, cause he was really enjoying himself, but exercise like this was going to make him old so maybe it was better if we left.

"Damn, you ate that like Goku! Gojyo stated. Looking at the monk. "Didn't they feed you over at the temple."

Sanzo looked down at the remains of his meal and said whatever, disdainfully.

Inwardly he thought, that was a lot of food and since when did he like cabbage pickle?

The beer had never been brought, but a bottle of water had, Sanzo finished that up too as Goku and Hakkia entered the tavern.

AH! You ate without me! Thats not fair. Goku yelled as he through himself in a chair. "Gojyo you greedy pig."

Gojyo looked up. "Monkey I got none of that, Master Sanzo played piggy in your stead."

"click" the gun was at Gojyo's head. There wasn't enough color left in the water sprite to drain away but if he had he would have paled. Ok, Ok, you were just hungry and hell we are in the tavern we can just order more...

Hakkia gave his laugh and flagged a waitress.

The ordered the usual feast. Sanzo ate with them again. Gojyo was giving him a look every time he grabbed something. Sanzo ignored him.

After the meal Sanzo shifted uncomfortably. He was over full now, and disgusted with himself. He still had the itchies too. He leaned heavily on the table as he got up to leave. Goku and Gojyo were bickering and didn't pay any attention as Sanzo exited the tavern. Hakkia followed him out, concern on his face.

Sanzo was trying to smoke when Hakkia met him outside. It had to be this pack, they just tasted so bad. He tossed the butt away.

"Goku said you were ready to leave. Are you sure your OK? What did the monk say?"

She is so full of bullshit it doesn't matter what she says.

"She?"

Yeah, she. Like the rest of this town. Did you ask around as to why there were no men?

"Well yeah, they were taken away to fight some great war for heaven or something."

"your not a n idiot Hakkia, how are there still children here? There is something going on."

"More immediately I think there is something going on with you. You never eat that much, or smoke so little. And if you don't stop itching your going to bleed."

"Hey you're the one who says I should smoke less and eat more, what is the problem."

"Lets go back to the temple and I'll check you out"

"I feel fine and I'll feel even better when we are out of the fuck'n town."

"Not until we talk with the monk and I've checked you out."

"Fine what ever, lets go"

At the temple Zaibu greeted them. Glad to see you back.

Hakkia smiled, I think Sanzo wants a second opinion on this condition. He chuckled. Oh, by the way my name is Hakkia.

"Welcome Hakkia, my name is Zaibu." You can go right though, Sanzo's room is still ready.

There was water and clean cloths on the table. The bedding had been changed but it was as Sanzo had left it earlier.

"Do what ever you're going to do and lets get this over with"

Hakkia readied his healing chi and touched Sanzo's abdomen.

The itching stopped. Sanzo asked "Well, can we go?"

Hakkia stared at Sanzo's abdomen.

Hakkia!! Sanzo yelled'

"Um, hehe, no we better stay a while. The parasite is still there, it has a chi presents. Oh dear." Hakkia's voice trailed off.

Zaibu stepped in the room.

Sanzo was fuming, trying to keep a level look about him. The twitch was a dead give away.

Hakkia was staring at Sanzo. It was pissing Sanzo off.

Zaibu! tell Hakkia about the well. Sanzo stomped out of the room.

After a while Hakkia came out to the deck were Sanzo had been pacing.

Hakkia said, "I think I'll need a drink tonight."

"Do you believe her?"

"No, but that would explain a parasite with chi presents. And why your body thinks its perfectly healthy."

"Fuck! the is ridiculous. The gods would never let their order be disturbed. It could be a demon parasite or some kind of possession." Sonzo grasped for other possibilities. Even possession sounded better then pregnancy.

"I need some stairs to fall down or Hakkia, punch me in the gut, right now!"

"I asked the lady monk about ending it, she said no matter what was tried the dame dies with the fetus. Even with woman. Its the "Blessing". He finished bitterly

Sanzo was at a loss. He wasn't used to being this confused, this angry sure, but not this confused.

Sanzo slumped against the wall, knees by his chest. The waist of his pants cut into him. He pulled out his last cigarette. He was going to smoke this last one, damn it.

Hakkia looked down at Sanzo. You didn't comfort Sanzo, you just made sure there were no death dealing objects in arms reach and you let him be. What do you say to a pregnant MALE monk? What could you possibly say?

Hakkia put on a neutral face. "What can I do for you Sanzo?"

"You can leave, don't tell the guys."