Inspired by "JOURNEY TO THE WEST" and based on Saiyuki, given courage by :

.com/art/Sanzo-7087694

Warning: contains Mpreg.

Also contains Het, hint of lime

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The lost episode: "Woman's Country"

Charactors © Kazuya Minekura

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Birds fly out of the scrubby growth as a jeep chatters west on along the dirt road into the town of Nushen.

Gojyo and Goku are having their usual fight over who is taking up more room or maybe who is more stupid. Its punctuated by Sonzo's threats and Hakkai's placating laugh.

On the horizon, backlight by a low sun, is a small sized walled city. As they approach they see it has a dry moat and is scrawled with protections script. They reach the bridge into town, the way is blocked by a small monk in heavy saffron robes and a conical straw hat.

The monk says, "Any way I can talk you into just going on to the next town?"

The monk's voice seems reedy and with the monk's face hidden it was impossible to know how old the monk is.

"We respect the Sonzo party," said the monk bowing low, "but trouble follows you everywhere and we like our peace."

"Damn our fame. I really wanted a real bed tonight, preferable with a fine lady in it. Said Gojyo. Sanzo just put his hands in his sleeves and looked and Hakkai.

Goku whined to Hakkai, it had been three days since the last town.

Hakkai, gave one of his apologetic laughs and explaining that they were desperate for a stop, but would try to make it short. He then asked where they could find the inn.

The monk tipped the hat up slightly to take a good look at them, the shade it cast kept the monks face hid. "We have no inn, but the tavern is just inside the gate. You should have no trouble finding a bed" the monk chuckled "If you do, come to the temple at the south end of the main street and I'll have a bed for you." " One thing though, don't drink the water. I can not stress that enough! You'll be very, very sorry if you drink it."

With that the monk left, making a path along the outside wall of the town. The Sanzo party sped over the bridge into town. As said the tavern was just inside the wall. They pulled in and exited the jeep. With a "kuu" it turned into the small white dragon that is Hakuryu.

FOOD, FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! yelled Goku as they took in the area. Next to the tavern was a little supply shop, across the way was a book store.

Come on! yelled Goku and he ran into the tavern. The rest followed him.

It was an off time of day for the tavern there were a few scattered patrons, all woman. The waitress motioned them over to a table a little away from the main dining area and came over to give them menus. She was really eyeing them up. Gojyo of course noticed this and gave a lecherous smile. To his surprise and delight she returned it, half hidden by her hair. She sashayed away from the table, but kept her eyes on Gojyo.

I think I found my bed for the night, he thought to himself.

They ordered their meal. In typical fashion a feast was brought to the table. Gojyo and Goku fought over the last of every thing. Sanzo barely ate, grumbled a bit and made threats. Hakkai made sure Hakuryu eat, and tried to keep the table quite. There was wine, beer, and milk at the table. Hakkai didn't want to know why they shouldn't drink the water.

After the meal, where to Goku's surprise no shots had been fired, Hakkai left to go check out the book store. He took Goku with him. Gojyo went up to the bar to talk to the waitress and Sanzo sensing an opportunity to be alone moved to an outside table in the court yard to smoke and read a discarded paper from that morning.

Ever so quietly an ancient grandma slid a glass of barley tea on to Sanzo's table and shuffled away. There was an mischievous glint in in barely visible eyes.

The sunset low in the court yard as the evening wore on. Sanzo looked up as the light faded and got up. Goyjo was drinking with the waitress now, who seemed to be off duty. He waved Sanzo on has he went towards the door. Sanzo could see the temple gate from the tavern, it was just a couple of blocks away. The shop was closed, so Sanzo stuck his head into the bookshop. Hakkai's voice could be heard from the door, he was telling some story from their travels, Sanzo could care less. He went in, found Hakkai, who paused then introduced the bookshop owner, Yuèguì. Hakkia told Sanzo he could go on to the temple if he liked because he and Goku had found a place to stay for the evening. Looking around the corner he could see Goku being uncharacteristically quite as a young woman read to him from a cookbook. (Wúcāi) Sanzo made a look of disgust, turned and left the bookshop.

Cigarette in place he walked south toward the temple. The monk was outside shooing four young students into the dorm.

"Greetings Sanzo" said the monk, "I'm guessing your fellows found beds else were?"

"fellows? Thats an odd way of saying it, but yes." Sonzo took out a cigarette, placed it in his mouth and light it. The monk was fumbling with a match tying to light the lantern at the gate, the monk turned to look at Sanzo who groaned and slapped the lighter into the monks outstretch hands. The monk bowed, lit the lantern and handed the lighter back.

I guess I should introduce myself, I'm called Zaibu sēng"

"Fine, what ever, you know who I am right? Good, do you have a room for me?" Was Sanzo's rely

"Follow me" said the monk. The monk took Sanzo to a dorm room, left and returned with an ashtray a sealed bottle of water and bedding.

"The bathroom is though there" the monk pointed across the small room. The monk put all the items down and turned to leave.

Sanzo said "why are there almost no men in this town?"

The monk signed. "They were all drafted a while back, they left to fight some great war and haven't been heard from since."

Then the monk left. That didn't answer all Sanzo's questions, he still wondered how long ago they could have left when there are babies and small children around. There had been a few very old men playing go and some maybe eight year old boys, but thats all. He crushed out his cigarette, rolled the sutra, and removed his robe. There was a shelf by the cot, with a trash can underneath it. He put his belongings on the shelf. He rolled out the bedding flopped down on the cot and went to sleep.

A hint of light was coming in the window as Sanzo's stomach woke him up. He opened his eyes, swallowed and took a deep breath, hoping to calm his queasiness. He could see the trash can. He rolled off the cot and pulled out the trash can. He took another deep breath, and wretched. The sun was up when Sanzo finally felt empty. He sat up against the cot saw the water on the table and moved to sit in the chair. He opened the water and had some, cleaning out his mouth. He then went into the bathroom to get his day started. When he came out the monk was there with a bowl of congee and the paper.

Zaibu's hat was off, the monk had a soft face and light eyes. The monk was still wearing heavy robes and had a head covering that wrapped from forehead to neck.

"You were sick this morning?" the monk said by way of greeting.

"Yeah" said Sanzo, sitting back down. A look of real concern washed over Zaibu's face. "Did you have any water yesterday, maybe something with icecubes? What about cold tea?

Sanzo looked up from the congee, which he was actually eating, and replied yeah he had a glass of barley tea at the tavern yesterday evening.

Now Zaibu looked panicked. "S-shit, did you see who brought it to you?" Sanzo shook his head no.

Zaibu started pacing, "who have you had physical contact with since then?"

Sanzo snorted, "no one, why?"

Zaibu stopped and stared at Sanzo. "You had to have touched someone! Think about it!"

"You, when I gave you the lighter"

Zaibu abruptly sat down on the cot, head in hands. The monk sighed. "Stay put, I'm going to see if your fellows are sick.

"Before you go, can I have seconds?" Zaibu blinked at Sanzo, refilled the bowl and headed out at top speed.