After much deliberation over whether or not I should go with this little plot twist or to end the story, I decided to throw caution to the wind and go with the flow. In any case, it solidified what I have planned for the ending and despite the angst that seems to be taking over, this should have a very sweet and happy ending. So, until then – thank you all so much for reading and reviewing and please continue to let me know what you think. I do appreciate it!

Also, Nimblnymph drew some fanart for the fic! Check it out here: www deviantart com/view/32579682/ (replace the spaces with periods.)

Chapter 12. Found Again.

"Merciful Goddess?" Jiroushin started before drawing back a bit. "What's happening to him?"

"He's in a very difficult struggle at the moment." The goddess shifted her position in the throne before looking into her pool again. "Sable had nearly taken him over, but he fought it fiercely."

"And that means?"

"It means, Jiroushin, that things are about to get very interesting down there." She smirked. Leave it to Konzen to find a loophole in things, even if he didn't mean to.

"Well, you don't seem too concerned so I guess its okay." Jiroushin sighed. "Then again, you weren't concerned when Homura was destroying the heaven's either. I never know what to do with you, really. Sometimes I wonder how I got this job and why I even…"

As Jiroushin continued his mumbling, the Merciful Goddess stood and walked to her looking pool. The never ending light glistened off its surface and ripples. Yes, from here things were going to get very interesting. "Now, show me how you handle this, Genjyo Sanzo."

After probably the most painful thing Sanzo had ever experienced, much worse than going without his cigarettes for a day, he found himself staring face to muzzle with something unexpected. "You have got to be shitting me."

"Stubborn bastard. You just wouldn't hand over the reigns would you?" Sable growled back. "It's my turn, dammit! You lost, so why didn't you disappear into the back of my conscious like you were supposed to!"

"Like hell I would you stupid dog!" Sanzo matched the mutt growl for growl. "Now start talking, where am I?"

"We're in our head." Sable huffed and scratched his ears. This entire thing was making fleas seem more preferable. "And you've ruined my good mood. I was so looking forward to Hakkai's cooking. He was going to make hash browns this morning, you know."

"In our head?" Sanzo stared and then looked around his surroundings. Black, black, black, and more floating dark cloud things surrounding their feet. The only light was shining over them from nowhere as they sat. It was not helping the fowl mood this situation had put him in the slightest bit.

"Yes, you moron." Sable resigned himself and looked up. "You had to go and ruin everything, didn't you?"

"What are you talking about? And start giving straight answers you mongrel."

"You're only insulting yourself, you know." Sable stood and shook himself off. "Your time is up, it's my turn to be in control of the body. I'm the new incarnation of your soul and therefore you were supposed to get shoved to the back of my mind. You're nothing but a record of a past life and you should be filed away and forgotten with the other one! But with that little stunt you pulled, instead of getting all tucked into the drawers, you broke out."

Sanzo remembered that, getting sucked down into that pool of darkness. He also remembered fighting back against it, too many voices had called out to him. There was no way this life was over yet. Being filed away just like that wasn't an option. "Sorry to disappoint, but I'm not done with my life yet. You're the one who shouldn't be here."

Sable nearly attacked him, it would have done damage to his own soul but he didn't care. This was his chance to start over again, start new and fresh with everyone around him. It was his chance to be happy, or at least try to be. After seeing a brief peak at the other lives, it seemed Fate didn't like this soul too much. But, that didn't matter at the moment. Sable had just as much right to exist as Sanzo. And he was the one working so hard to get out as much as possible and see his new family. It was only fair he get his turn. "Well, in any case now we're both here. And only one of us can be in control of the body at a time."

"I hope you realize that it will be me." Sanzo strolled towards the dog. "Because I assure you, I will be turned back to normal and this new incarnation, you, won't exist anymore. No one will remember any of this happened and if they do they won't dare bring it up. Not if I have anything to say about it."

"What a surprise, I feel the same." Sable stood his ground. All that pain Sanzo brought with him should have gone with death. This is a new start, a new chance to be what he couldn't before and it wasn't fair that he couldn't get his peace of mind. "I want to forget everything and just be me, but I can't do that as long as you're running around. You are not ruining this for me."

"So, if that's the case why haven't you taken control yet?" Sanzo had to stall for time. One of them would make it to the front, the other wouldn't. It was that easy.

Sable jerked his gaze away from the man in front of him. He hadn't quite figured that out either. He just remembered getting yanked out of his dreams to this place, and having all the crap about his past life flooding back into his head wasn't much of an upper or good use of direction. If he had to guess it was probably a battle of wills and he knew better than anyone this soul was stubborn one, no matter what incarnation.

"You don't know how to get back into control either, do you?" Sanzo smirked. A mutt was still a mutt. This should be an easy win, Sable didn't have a driving goal, a purpose. Sable didn't have a mission; if it was a battle of will, the mutt had no chance.

"Like you do." Sable glared back at him, but this time, he made sure to make eye contact. It was time to let this arrogant fool learn his place.

Sanzo and Sable were both shocked and froze in their places. Despite the difference in forms and demeanor, their eyes were the same. It was almost as if they were looking into a very distorted mirror, but a mirror none the less. Neither could they admit that the other was a figment or mass of memories, nor could they ignore the feeling that began to stir in their guts. This was the same soul, trapped in two different times in one plane and they both hated it. So, the two of them, Sable and Sanzo, made silent agreements to shove the thought into the back of their minds. The same soul or not, there was only room for one.

Sable hated it. Hated it so very much, but he saw something there that he knew he'd neither forget nor be able to live with himself if he ignored. It was unfinished business that would haunt him even in this new life. Sable had no question that even if Sanzo was locked away, he'd inherit those bitter emotions. Sanzo had destroyed any hope of a new start for him, so Sable gave up early. "You win, you can have control. For now."

Sanzo refused to believe that what he had seen had shaken him. It was unnerving to see his eyes behind all that golden fur, and it hurt somehow when he denied the facts staring him in the face. Sable's words shook him from his thoughts and the moment Sable had given up the fight Sanzo could feel a pull back to control of the body. Even he had to mumble a small bit of gratitude. "Thank-you."

"Enjoy your time while you can, though." Sable watched the man start to fade away into the fog. "I rather like my family, and I might just change my mind and steal them back."

"You can try."

"Don't think I won't."

"Bastard."

Sable smirked and laid down to watch things happen. He'd wait and watch and see what Sanzo did. There was still a little time for him, but Sable refused to give up quite yet. It hurt too much to give in.

Sanzo awoke and looked around. Tail, paws, being used as a pillow; he was back to normal. Well, normal as he could be as a dog. But there was something different this time around. He felt the same way he did when this whole mess started and it felt pretty good. He felt like himself for the first time in a very long time. Well, maybe the increased nicotine and liquor pains being worse than before didn't feel so good, but he had no urge to be pet or play fetch in any way shape or form.

He pulled himself out from under Goku as gently as he could before jumping off the bed. Sable was still in the back of his mind, and it bothered him just a bit that he could tell the dog was watching everything that happened. That would mean Sanzo had to be careful of his actions and be wary of giving that mutt openings. But for now, he had more important things to address. Sanzo hoped Hakkai and Gojyo didn't mind being woken at the early hours of the morning again for a meeting.

And even if they did, sucks to be them.

He peaked around the corner of the room once he had realized Goku had snagged a private room. It annoyed him somewhat that during these past two months they'd had no problems for the most part getting individual rooms. Why couldn't they have that kind of luck when he was human and desperate for his own space? Sanzo looked around a bit once he got into the hallway and realized that nothing looked familiar. He growled at himself for not being enough in his own head to even know where he was at the moment. He had to get Goku to key in to the situation before Sable had another chance to take over. What are you doing?

Sanzo? Jeep looked up at the figure that had come out of Goku's room. Jeep had been sitting quietly in the hallway catching his breath before heading back to his and Hakkai's room. The sudden voice was a surprise that shook him from his own thoughts. He was certain that Sanzo had been near lost already, but that tone of voice was just so, familiar.

Of course it's me you flying rat. Sanzo huffed. He wished he could remember more about the past few days. The only things coming to mind were playing with Goku and bugging Gojyo to take him outside to play. He shivered a bit after thinking about all the things he'd asked Gojyo and Hakkai to do for him over the past month. He was never living down a single 'pet me' session for the rest of his forsaken life. Sanzo suppressed the urge to kill something and turned back to Jeep. What are you doing out of bed?

I had to use the little dragon's room. Jeep spit a small ball of fire in the dog's direction. Stupid Sanzo making him worry. But what are you doing?

Something's come up, and I need to talk to your damn owner. Sanzo didn't have time for this, so he just kept marching forward.

You mean your little episode as Sable? Jeep snickered. I wasn't there for all of it, but Hakkai told me a lot of what happened when he went to bed.

Sanzo paused a bit before continuing down the hallway. That so.

He's stressed and worried, Sanzo. Jeep knew he was getting defensive, but he couldn't help it. He almost told Goku about you, just so he could end this whole fiasco.

That does seem like him. Sanzo sniffed at the door he assumed was Hakkai's and invited himself in. Don't worry squirt. I'm not going anywhere. And I'm not holding a grudge either.

Jeep smiled a bit and flew over the dog's head to land on the soft covers of Hakkai's bed. He responded well when the man started petting him along his spine. The truth of the matter was, Hakkai couldn't sleep either after today.

"Sanzo?" Hakkai looked down at the dog in front of him. After this morning, and his little stunt there was a good chance his leader and friend was no longer there. Hakkai didn't know if he could live with himself, or the others, if that was the case.

Of course. Sanzo smirked and jumped onto the bed next to the other two. The sound of the bed creaking and the springs bending echoed in the room. And don't even bother brining up stupid things. That includes the incident today, you got that? Don't make me kill you.

Hakkai laughed, and genially for the first time in the past few weeks. That was Sanzo alright, no question. "It's glad to see you as yourself, Sanzo."

Yeah, well let's hope it lasts. Sanzo turned his head away. Things have gotten, complicated.

"How so?" Hakkai shifted to put his feet on the cold floor. Some coffee might be in order for the way this conversation is going. And maybe he'd get something for Sanzo as well, water perhaps.

Sit down, Hakkai.

"Sanzo?"

I need to say this while I can, I don't know how much time I've got before that bastard changes his mind. It could be a month or a minute.

"What happened?" Hakkai sat down and looked closely at Sanzo. The dog, no man, was looking slightly ragged. In a way, more like his old self, but more weighed down. Like there was a pain nagging at him. "Are you alright?"

Those instincts that made me act like a mutt have taken a conscious form named 'Sable.' Sanzo made sure Hakkai was listening before continuing. Those green eyes were focused on him and were tinged with a bit of worry. Sanzo scoffed, and tried to ignore it. That's what the gods meant about this whole thing. My new incarnation is taking over the body and I get shoved into the back of his head to be forgotten. That's what this whole turning into a dog thing is about. The changing of lives, so to speak.

"And you've talked to this Sable?"

Briefly, it wasn't a pleasant conversation. Sanzo yawned a bit before laying down. He was really too old to be running around in the odd hours of the morning, and he was only twenty-three. He wants me to go away so he can live a happy new life. Or so I'm guessing.

"That would make sense, wouldn't it?"

Much as it makes sense, don't think I'm going to just bow down and let it happen.

"I should hope not." Hakkai smiled and rubbed a finger under Jeep's chin. The little dragon cooed and shifted for Hakkai to reach a better spot. "As much fun as an affectionate you can be, I rather miss you shooting at us. And the death threats of course, they make the day amusing."

You would miss that, you sadist. Sanzo smirked. But now we know what's going on and we can plan for it. And if I can get everything sorted out, I might be able to fight it more practically and give us more time.

"So in essence, we should concentrate our efforts on Goku even more than we have been, I take it?" Hakkai stopped petting Jeep to set him down on the pillow before standing up again. He was feeling thirsty after all. "Since we now have an unpredictable timeline?"

Exactly. Sanzo curled up and turned away from the demon. Now, I'm going to sleep and if you wake me, you die.

Hakkai couldn't help but smile at the threat as he went for a glass of water. Who said Sanzo didn't listen to what his friends had to say? "Good night, Sanzo."

"I think you like making our lives miserable and complicated." Gojyo smacked the bottom of his cigarette pack only to confirm there was no more sticks hiding in the tiny package.

Oh shut up you stupid water sprite. He should just learn to not tell Gojyo anything. Sanzo regretted going to bed after talking to Hakkai. This bastard should have been woken at three in the morning to be filled in instead of later in the day by Hakkai. That would have served him right.

"I'm not the one with a split personality disorder."

Do you want to die?

"But I am the one with issues, because I missed those threats of yours." Gojyo smirked. "Now if only we could get you to shoot a gun with those doggie paws."

Hakkai said the same thing, but don't think I'm letting you get off the hook. I am so killing you. Sanzo growled and tried to smack Jeep with his paw. And your little dragon, too.

"Thanks for the warning o' wicked mutt of the west, but it's Hakkai's little dragon, not mine." Gojyo smirked. He had missed this banter so much when Sanzo was having his little Sable moments. His day couldn't get any better, made him smile.

Speaking, where is Hakkai and the monkey anyway? Sanzo looked around the room, but didn't see either of the idiots anywhere. They were gone by the time he woke up this morning to find only Gojyo hanging around. And by Gojyo's smirking he could tell right away Hakkai had filled the half-breed in on the situation. At least it saved him the aggravation of telling the stupid water sprite everything.

"I believe they're out shopping." Gojyo licked his lips and tossed a crumbled Hi-Lite pack into the trash. "Which is good because I'm out of cigarettes."

Stop teasing, you pervert. Sanzo longed for his precious Marlboros. When he was human again he was buying a few cartons of his beloved brand. Hell, who was he kidding? Even one of Gojyo's piece of trash cigarettes would do at the moment.

"Jeesh, somebody got moody." Gojyo snickered and watched Sanzo twitch. A mutt with withdrawal, did it really get any better than that?

Shut it.

Gojyo reached down to ruffle the fur on Sanzo's head and loved every minute when the dog tried to get out from under. The man winked at the dog's distress from the attention. "You two really are split, Sable loves it when I pet him. He's always asking me over the other two for a rub down. "

I'm not Sable, you pervy bastard. So keep your hands off. Sanzo ducked his head down and scooted over a foot. The last thing he wanted was that pervert's hands on his head. Don't touch me.

"Sure, sure." Gojyo stretched and played around a bit with his hair. It shouldn't be as much fun as it was to tease that man. He yawned into his hand before getting serious again. "Just be careful with Goku. The kid's already mad you snuck out of the room this morning, he's not going to like you running from him every time he stops to pet you."

He'll get over it. Sanzo snorted. Touchy feely is not me.

A smile stretched across a certain Half-Breed's face. Maybe this was something that they needed to have happen. That brass and violent attitude the monk was so fond of my finally get through to monkey boy. "Just be careful."

Oy, what are you doing?

"I'm talking to you, what do you think? Sanzo?" Gojyo looked down and watched Sanzo shake his head and take a few steps.

Oh no, you don't! Sanzo would not bend, he would not let that bastard have his way! Get the hell back!

Gojyo stood up this time and watched the dog squirm about and wince. He was acting like something was hurting him, like it was twisting the dog's insides. "Sanzo?"

I said back the hell off! I don't want to hear shit about it being your turn!

"Hey! Sanzo!" Gojyo kneeled down to try and calm the dog down. If he kept thrashing like that he was going to hurt himself. "Calm down!"

The dog came to a complete stop and continued standing in place. He shook out his fur a bit before looking up to Gojyo and giving the man, what looked like a bright smile. Don't worry, I'm okay.

"Sanzo?" Something was wrong. The pitch of his voice was the same, but the tone was all wrong. It sounded too happy to be Sanzo.

He's not here right now.

Well, that answered that question. Sanzo most definitely wasn't in control at the moment and it worried Gojyo something awful. "Then who are you?"

Sable. Sanzo had had enough time in control, it was his turn now. He could hear the monk cursing up a storm in the back of his head. The thought made him smile. Who else would I be, Gojyo?

"This is trouble." The man groped behind him for a chair. When he didn't find one he just smacked himself completely down onto the floor. "Hakkai's going to kill me. Couldn't you have waited to switch personalities when I'm not watching you?"

Sable couldn't help but laugh. He really loved being around Gojyo and the others. They had such a wonderful sense of humor. You're too much fun.

"Yeah, fun." Gojyo pat the dog's head for lack of anything else to do. "Just so you know, when Hakkai explodes about this, I'm blaming you."

Of course. Sable smiled. Hakkai wouldn't be too difficult to deal with, but for now he decided to just relax. Scratch lower, my back itches.

"You suck."

Then why are you still petting me?

"It's relaxing, so shut the hell up." Gojyo leaned his cheek on his free hand. "Stupid mutt."

Do you miss Sanzo that much? For some reason, the idea of them wanting that miserable, ill tempered man over his presence hurt more than it should. Do you not like me?

Gojyo paused to think that statement over. "It's not so much that as, Sanzo was here first."

And if I replaced him completely? I seem to recall Hakkai saying you'd still keep me, because I am in a way, Sanzo. Sable felt Gojyo's hand pause and remove itself.

"I doubt we'd throw you away. Goku'd never forgive us." Gojyo stood and took a few steps towards the bedroom door. "But you gotta' understand, we got our hopes up pretty high you know."

So I can't be a replacement, then?

"Sorry, but I refuse to watch him die twice." Gojyo turned and looked down at the dog. "I have a feeling Hakkai's going to feel the same way."

That didn't answer my question.

"No, you can't."

Sable watched Gojyo close the door and could feel the rage building up inside of him. He knew his time in charge was short, Sanzo wouldn't sit still in the back of his head for long. Sable would win them over if it killed him. He would not lose and they'd be happy. Yes, he'd make sure of it.