This story is a pre-setup for my upcoming GITS extensive-story, but it can be read as a stand-alone as well.

Shameless plug: I realize that this will come off as hungering for reviews, but I posted a story called "Revolts and Revolvers." Thing is, it's rated M, so it doesn't show up on the normal update list for the GITS: SAC catagory. If you want to read it then go to the catagory sorting, pick "By Publish Date", "Rated M", and the "Drama" genre. Be warned: it's from Togusa's point of view, and he's been deprived of sleep, coffee and an emotional outlet. It could also be considered a pre-setup.

I hate this emotion.

I hate it. I hate it and I hate you. All of you. Every single one.

I hate this emotion; I wish I could eradicate it from the face of the earth. I want it destroyed; this feeling that gouges away at my heart and my soul and turns me into the mindless puppet, mouthing only what you want to hear.

I also love this emotion.

I love it. I love it and I love you. All of you. Every single one.

I love this emotion; I wish everyone on this earth could feel it. I want it to spread and multiply, to tear me down and then rebuild me, make me whole so I can tell you all the truth and you can hear me.

I hate it and I love it. I hate you all and I love you all.

Either I can stand here and let you all die or I can move and save you all.

Because you belong to me. All of you belong to me. Mine. My Section 9.

Why did I have to get another family? I already had a wife at home, a little girl and baby. I already had all my friends at the force, and everything was equal. Balanced.

But then Major scouted me and offered me the job and I took it and -- for what? I never see my wife and children anymore, Yamaguchi -- oh God, Yamaguchi! -- is dead and no one at the department will speak to me anymore, because they think I've betrayed them. And I have. I had a family, a good family, one I trusted and loved.

And then I joined you. And the family was split apart, split in two. My family at my house and my family here.

When did everything start spinning out of control? When did my life become so fucked up and depressing that every day I wake up to the bitter disappointment that I didn't suffocate in my sleep?

Love...It's such a pathetic feeling, don't you think?