A/N: Things are about to get choppy…..

IV

It was clear to the others that when Batou got back to the hotel, all Hell was going to break loose very soon. Nobody had to ask. He hardly spoke a word, but all his friends had to do was look at his face.

The Major made a call to Ishikawa. Not that Justin's information was proven accurate yet, aside from Batou's foul mood change, but that was enough to search for any records regarding Batou's father, Kizu. By Motoko's order, if any trouble came from Batou, he was to be subdued and removed from the mission. She did not have to tell him.

Of course, Batou's record for obeying orders was not too perfect. Dragging Togusa with him, he decided to check out the house he was raised in. It was the only one occupied on the dirt road, (a house across the street had been abandoned since Batou was a kid.). It was one floor with a finished basement. Three bedrooms, living room, one bathroom and kitchen was all that it was. The backyard was woods, about 15 acres worth of pure nature.

A small white '90s Toyota and white van similar to Section 9's were parked on either side of the house. A navy blue '07 Escalade was parked in the driveway.

Batou pulled up a few feet from the house. Training told him to check it out from a distance first. Togusa said nothing, till he spotted Tesshin.

"Is that a dog? It looks….kind of…"

At first, Batou did not spot the dog till it started to dig up yellow grass of the front yard. "He belongs to my sister. She named him Tesshin. He's cyberized."

Togusa turned to him, surprised. "Serious? I didn't know that people could do that." He watched as Tesshin pried a brown rock from the ground that had to have been the same weight as his head. He tossed it on the ground, then head butted it, running around, playing his own game of 'soccer.' "How can you make a cyberbrain function how dog's mind works?"

"Have no idea. Justin told me that my sister did it by herself. She always did love technology." Togusa glanced to him from the corner of his eye, unsure of Batou's tone. He grabbed the door handle when Batou got out. His friend stopped him by promising that he would not be long. "Alright, Big Guy."

Tesshin laid down with his rock, gnawing on it with his natural fangs. He knew he would get smacked for it, but that was if his master found him. For a 9 month pup, he was a punk.

"Hey, doggy."

His head shot up. At first, he did not recognize Batou because they in the firelight of Justin's lantern. His nose twitched.

You're my master's kin… He shook out his fur, standing. You smell like her…in a way.

"I'll take that as….something. The old man home?" Tesshin cocked his head. "I want to have a word with him."

He's inside. I feel I should warn you, The dog half turned, looking over his shoulder. There are two men each in those cars. If he chooses to give the word, he'll have you and your car searched…and dumped in the river. Careful how you approach the front door.

Batou looked to the cars inconspicuously. Tesshin did not lie to him. At first he had forgotten why his father would have thugs by his side.

"Don't worry, I won't be long." He started to head for the house. "Just a few choice words I have to get across to him while I'm here."

Tesshin sat down where he was, mouth open to let his red tongue fall from his fangs. I hope they were chosen carefully…

Batou examined the green front door. It was worn and repainted since he last remembered. He knocked loudly. He heard two car doors open behind him, but did not turn around. After a few minutes, the door opened.

A man a few inches shorter than Batou answered. He had creamy white hair that was styled in a crew-cut. His eyes were a deep, almost black, grey. A black t-shirt tightly covered his torso, matching together with his tattered blue jeans.

He gazed suspiciously up at Batou, who already knew who he was facing. "What's your name? You look real familiar." The corner of Batou's lip raised in irritation.

"You changed to a cyborg body, Old Man. What happened, couldn't swing your wooden bat hard enough?"

The man grinned, seeming unfazed by Batou's comment. "I thought it was you, Son." He nodded behind him, inviting Batou inside. "Come on in. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"

A/N: Cliffhanger. Ouch.

And the wooden bat comment Batou made….he wasn't talking about hitting homeruns.

I won't post anymore till I get at least 2-5 more reviews…

and Franco, you don't count.

Getting reviews helps me actually see that readers are reading my…readings and I am not doing this for nothing.